Indication of tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis.

The indication of tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis was discussed from the standpoint of clinical immunology. Elevated serum IgG was observed in 29.8% of the patients under 8 years of age preoperatively. In contrast, in 25% of patients between 9-15 years of age, serum IgG was low preoperatively. In the patients over 16 years of age no abnormal serum IgG was found, and the elevated serum IgG returned to normal after tonsillectomy. The patients with normal serum IgG preoperatively retained normal values postoperatively. The low preoperative IgG level group still remained low postoperatively. As to postoperative improving symptoms, high and low grade fever improved most (100%), followed by cervical lymphadenopathy (93%), frequent absence from school (93%), sore throat (88%) and recurrence of bronchitis (85%). The patients with recurrent tonsillitis for 8 years showing high serum IgG had indications for tonsillectomy.