Immediate unilateral tonsillectomy for severe peritonsillar infections in children.

Twenty-four children with severe peritonsillar infections, subjected to unilateral tonsillectomies were studied with regards to the incidence of late infections in the remaining tonsil. Unilateral immediate tonsillectomy is an effective and sufficient treatment for unilateral peritonsillar abscesses in children or adolescents. The removal of the opposite uninvolved tonsil is not justified for it increases the risk of surgical morbidity, deprives the individual of an immunocompetent organ and does not result in demonstrable clinical benefit.