The tonsils and adenoids are collections of lymphoid tissue located in the back of your throat. Your tonsils are located behind your tongue on both sides of your uvula (that thing that hangs down in the back of your throat), and your adenoids are straight back behind your nose. Both your tonsils and adenoids generally reach their largest size when you are young, and gradually decrease in size as you get older. They tend to enlarge significantly when you have an infection. Most bacterial tonsil infections are caused by Strep bacteria and respond well to antibiotics. Occasionally patients have recurrent strep infections that return several times per year despite treatment with antibiotics. Chronic enlargement of the tonsils can cause snoring, or sleep apnea. Enlargement of the adenoids can lead to nasal congestion, and recurrent ear infections. Indications for tonsillectomy include obstructive enlargement, recurrent infections, and peritonsillar abscess formation.
Adeno-tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure where the tonsils and adenoids are removed. Based on the reason for your surgery, you and your surgeon may decide to only remove the tonsils or the adenoids. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia. Most patients are able to go home the same day after a few hours of observation in the recovery room. Your surgeon will provide you with prescriptions for pain medicine, antibiotics and medication for nausea. You will return to the office for follow-up in 2-3 weeks.
Most patients experience a severe sore throat following tonsillectomy. It is important to take the pain medication, and to drink lots of liquids to remain hydrated. White patches in the back of your throat, foul smelling breath, fevers up to 102 degrees and ear pain are all to be expected. Post operative bleeding occurs in about 2% of tonsillectomies and usually resolves quickly. Severe bleeding can occur however, so if you have bleeding you should alert your surgeon immediately.