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Tonsillectomies and children
Children and tonsillectomies
Information
Today, many parents wonder if it is wise for children to have the tonsils taken out. Tonsillectomy may be recommended if your child has any of the following:
Tonsillectomy
Tonsillectomy is a surgery to remove the tonsils. The tonsils are glands at the back of your throat. The tonsils are often removed along with the ad...
- Difficulty swallowing
- Obstructed breathing during sleep
- Throat infections or throat abscesses that keep returning
In most cases, inflammation of the tonsils can be successfully treated with antibiotics. There are always risks associated with surgery.
You and your child's doctor may consider a tonsillectomy if:
- Your child has frequent infections (7 or more times in 1 year, 5 or more times over 2 years, or 3 or more times over 3 years)
- Your child misses a lot of school
- Your child snores, has trouble breathing, and has sleep apnea
- Your child has an abscess or growth on their tonsils
References
Baugh RF, Archer SM, Mitchell RB, et al. Clinical practice guideline: tonsillectomy in children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 Jan;144(1 Suppl):S1-30. PMID: 21493257 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21493257 .
Goldstein NA. Evaluation and management of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. In: Lesperance MM, Flint PW, eds. Cummings Pediatric Otolaryngology . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 5.
Wetmore RF. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds.
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.
20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 383.
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Tonsillectomy - illustration
The tonsils are made up of lymphoid tissue and help fight against infections. However, some people with larger tonsils, particularly in children, may have many sore throats and ear infections, or trouble breathing. In these cases, surgical removal of the tonsils, a tonsillectomy, can be beneficial.
Tonsillectomy
illustration
-
Tonsillectomy - illustration
The tonsils are made up of lymphoid tissue and help fight against infections. However, some people with larger tonsils, particularly in children, may have many sore throats and ear infections, or trouble breathing. In these cases, surgical removal of the tonsils, a tonsillectomy, can be beneficial.
Tonsillectomy
illustration
Review Date: 1/11/2016
Reviewed By: Liora C Adler, MD, Pediatric ER, Joe DiMaggio Childeren’s Hospital, Hollywood, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
