Changes in age and sex specific tonsillectomy rates: United States, 1970-1977

National estimates of tonsillectomy rates were generated from the Hospital Discharge Survey for the years 1970 and 1977. A comparison of the rates over the seven-year period revealed significant declines in T&A for all age and sex categories and in tonsillectomy alone for males aged 20 through 29. It was also observed that sex differences found in 1970 persisted in 1977. (Am J Public Health 1982; 72:488-491.)