New guideline for the treatment of tonsillitis

Under the auspices of the German Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO KHC), the interdisciplinary guideline for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the palatine tonsils has been revised and published. It contains recommendations and statements on the targeted diagnosis and treatment of inflamed palatine tonsils.

The significance of the guideline can be recognized by the fact that in Germany more than 100,000 times a year the diagnosis of acute or chronic tonsillitis is made and more than 100,000 tonsilver operations are performed annually.

The guideline replaces the previous recommendations for the surgical almond removal. The experts advise against unnecessary blood and urine examinations. In particular, this includes the determination of the antistreptolysin titer (ASL titer), which has proven to be meaningless in this context.
Even antibiotic supplements recommend the experts now only under clearly defined conditions for a special rating system. In addition, the national guideline positions itself for the first time for the benefit of less dangerous partial removal of the tonsils (tonsillotomy). The new guidelines on the treatment of tonsillitis can be found here. (Pm)

Image: Dan Race - fotolia