[Evolution of tonsillectomy]

Since Antiquity, and Celsus' description of blunt digital ablation of the tonsils, tonsillectomy had seen only two major instrumental developments: the advent of tonsillotomes around 1830, and enucleation with a guillotine forceps at the beginning of the 20th century. New instrumental methods for ENT disorders have been introduced in recent years. Modern anesthetic methods have improved the operating conditions for both the surgeon and the patient. However, the impact of these new approaches on the safety of tonsillectomy remains to be determined.