Criteria for Tonsillectomy

Minimum frequency of sore throat episodes

• At least 7 episodes in the previous year, at least 5 episodes in each of the previous 2 yr, or at least 3 episodes in each of the previous 3 yr

Clinical features

• • Sore throat plus at least 1 of the following features qualifies as a counting episode: • Temperature of greater than 38.3°C (100.9°F) • Cervical adenopathy (tender lymph nodes or lymph node size >2 cm) • Tonsillar exudate • Culture positive for group A β-hemolytic streptococcus

Treatment

• Antibiotics administered in the conventional dosage for proved or suspected streptococcal episodes

Documentation

• • Each episode of throat infection and its qualifying features substantiated by contemporaneous notation in a medical record • If the episodes are not fully documented, subsequent observance by the physician of 2 episodes of throat infection with patterns of frequency and clinical features consistent with the initial history