Tonsils & Adenoids

Tonsils and adenoids are lymphoid tissue at the back of the throat and nose. After the age of 2-3, they have no useful function. Studies have shown that children who have tonsils/adenoids removed suffer no loss in their immunity to diseases.

Tonsils and Adenoids can cause several problems. These include the following:

1) Tonsillitis

Tonsils may cause problems if they are repeatedly infected. It often presents with frequent sore throats with fever, requiring frequent use of antibiotics.

2) Snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea

Large tonsils may cause obstruction to breathing while sleeping. It often presents with snoring. This raises the concern of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). If left untreated, this may cause multiple health issues, including a higher risk of heart problems, hypertension and stroke.

3) Otitis Media (middle ear infection / fluid in the middle ear)

Large adenoids may be a reservoir for bacteria and cause obstruction to the opening of the Eustachian tube. This can cause persistent or recurrent middle ear infections, or fluid in the middle ear. In these cases, an adenoidectomy may be done to reduce these episodes of middle ear infections.

4) Recurrent sinusitis in children

A child may suffer from recurrent sinusitis. Often the child may present with multiple episodes of upper respiratory tract infections (“colds” or “flu”) and have persistently runny nose and nasal congestion. This may be due to enlarged adenoids, which act as a reservoir for bacteria. In these children, an adenoidectomy may be advised.

About the Surgery

The surgery called Tonsillectomy or Adenoidectomy is done under general anaesthesia. It is a simple procedure, which takes about 35 minutes and it is done through the mouth and nose with no external scars.

The patient can drink and eat soon after the effects of general anaesthesia wear off. Soft diet is recommended during recovery and ice cream and cooled drinks are encouraged after surgery.