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. 1977 Sep;23:113, 115-117.

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy: A Review of the Literature

Nancy L Naylor
PMCID: PMC2378727  PMID: 21304842

Abstract

In considering whether to refer a child for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, five questions must be answered. Is the patient's tonsillar enlargement due to infection? Do the tonsils and adenoids have a useful function at this period of the child's growth? What is the frequency of T & A? What are the cause and course of tonsillitis? What is the risk/benefit ratio of T & A? From an extensive review of the literature, this paper attempts to answer these questions.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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