Abstract Tonsillectomy is the commonest operation performed in the UK, and, each year, >50 000 tonsillectomies are carried out. In 2005, the National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit published data on 33 921 patients who underwent a tonsillectomy between July 2003 and September 2004. Children aged <5 years accounted for 23%, children aged 5–16 years for 49%, and 16 years or over for 28% of all tonsillectomy procedures. The aim of the audit was to investigate the occurrence of haemorrhage and other complications in the first 28 days after tonsillectomy.