A lthough the number of patients undergoing tonsillectomy has gradually declined since the 1970s, it remains one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. The procedure, of course, is fairly routine—but not without risk. Mortality rates for the operation range from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 35,000, with morbidity rates ranging from 1.5% to 14%; mortality and morbidity after tonsille...
