When is it a good idea to get a tonsillectomy?

Chronic or OSA: Recurrent or chronic tonsillitis / throat infections, especially if affecting school / work attendance or performance, or (in young children) for obstructive sleep apnea. We don't recommend tonsillectomy just based on large tonsil size anymore.

Tonsil guidelines: Criteria for tonsillectomy includes one of the following: 1. Recurrent throat infections with documentation occuring 7 times per year, or at least 5 per 2 years or at least 3 per 3 years. 2. Recurrent throat infections with multiple antibiotic allergies, history of peritonsillar abscess. 3. Tonsil enlargement with presence of sleep disordered breathing. 4. Asymmetrical tonsil growth.