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A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils. Tonsillectomies are one of the most common surgeries performed on children, but they're done less often than in the past because large tonsils may shrink on their own over time. 1
Kids usually have a tonsillectomy because:
- Their tonsils are so big they block the airway and make it hard to breathe. Swollen tonsils can make it hard to breathe, especially during sleep. A child might snore and stop breathing for short periods while asleep when the tonsils get in the way. This is called obstructive sleep apnea. Apnea can make kids miss out on healthy, restful sleep, which can lead to learning, behavior, growth, and heart problems. 1
There are other ways to manage the obstructive apnea besides surgery, including continuous positive airway pressure machines and other devices, medications, and positioning. When it’s not clear that a tonsillectomy is needed, when parents prefer not to do it, or there are other reasons not to do it, these other measures can be tried. 2
2. Their tonsils get infected often. A health care provider might recommend removing the tonsils if a child gets a lot of tonsil infections (called tonsillitis). Experts define "a lot" as when a doctor diagnoses a child with at least 7 infections a year, more than three infections a year for 3 years.1
In cases where children are severely affected, tonsillectomy can reduce the number of infections but when this has been studied, children who don’t get tonsillectomies have fewer infections over time too. Either way, children get better, just waiting it out, can work too. 2
So, if you are thinking that your child might need a tonsillectomy, or if your doctor has suggested one, talk it over carefully with your doctor. Ask lots of questions. Spend some time understanding both the risks and benefits. It’s certainly true that for some children tonsillectomy makes a huge difference, especially those with obstruction — but for many others, just giving it sometime, perhaps with some medication or other treatments, can do the trick too. 2
Dr. Jihad Fadel
Pediatrician
