The tonsils are pads of tissue found on either side at the back of the throat. They vary in size and can become enlarged after an infection or with persistent inflammation such as with allergies or reflux and become a storehouse for bacteria, some of which can hide inside your tonsils even after taking antibiotics. The tonsils have a role in the immune system by identifying foreign invaders that are ingested or inhaled, but if they are chronically infected, they tend to do more harm than good. Removing them does not seem to negatively affect the immune system.

The most common reasons for surgical removal of the tonsils is persistent chronic infections, affecting breathing, sleeping or swallowing. Tonsil-related problems can lower a child’s quality of life and health and even their school performance.

The most common reasons for surgical removal of the tonsils is persistent chronic infections, affecting breathing, sleeping or swallowing. Tonsil-related problems can lower a child’s quality of life and health and even their school performance.

The ENT specialist will use a cautery pen or other instrument to remove the tonsils through the mouth. Frequently, an adenoidectomy procedure is performed during tonsillectomy and adds little time to the surgery, which takes between thirty and forty-five minutes in most patients. Whether or not the person will be able to go home the same day or will have to be observed overnight will depend on his age and other health conditions.

Tonsillectomy is a very safe surgery and the most common risk is poor drinking afterward which leads to dehydration and possible admission to the hospital. Bleeding is rare but can occur in one to four percent of cases. Bleeding tends to happen five to ten days after surgery when the scabs start to lift off the back of the throat. Other less common risks include chipped tooth, infection, scarring in the throat, a voice change, or breathing issues.

The procedure takes about 20 minutes to one hour to complete.

The surgery takes place under general anesthesia with a breathing tube.

Universally, children have a sore throat after a tonsillectomy. Often, prescription pain medicine is given after operation, and kids may need to take pain medicine for seven to fourteen days, although the first week is usually the worst. Unlike the past where there were dietary constraints requiring a soft diet, today kids can advance to a normal diet whenever they feel up to it, as long as they are drinking plenty of water to stay well hydrated.

ENT surgeon performs a tonsillectomy.

In India, on an average, the cost of tonsillectomy ranges from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 85,000.

A. Tonsils are the two lymph nodes present at the back of the throat. They are a part of the body’s immune system and defend the entry of harmful viruses and bacteria that lead to infection.

A. According to several studies, a tonsillectomy will not affect your immune system, rather it helps in improving the immune response and eliminating the infection

A. Tonsillectomy may have a mild effect on your voice during the recovery period due to a change in the dimensions and breathing space of the oropharynx. However, in the long term, there are no adverse effects on the voice or speech of the patient.

A. Yes, in people whose snoring is found to be associated with breathing difficulties due to enlarged tonsils, a tonsillectomy may prove to be effective in treating snoring. However, snoring that occurs as a result of a deviated nasal septum may need another procedure, known as a septoplasty, to eliminate snoring completely.

A. No, a tonsillectomy is performed under anesthesia and you will not experience any pain during the procedure. You may however experience some pain and discomfort after the surgery, which can be managed by taking adequate rest and pain medications.

A. A tonsillectomy may take anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes.

A. If not treated at the correct time, tonsillitis may turn into a serious condition. Frequent tonsillitis can cause difficulty in breathing and swallowing. It may also lead to sleeping disorders like sleep apnea and snoring. 
If not treated, the infected tonsils can also cause abscess formation in the throat. It could also cause obesity and other heart problems over a prolonged time.