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Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

It was once common to remove children's tonsils and adenoids. Today, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are done less often, and only when the benefits greatly outweigh the risk, inconvenience, and pain.

Tonsillectomy. A tonsillectomy may be recommended if at least 1 of the following criteria is present:

  • There have been at least 4 to 6 severe tonsillitis infections caused by strep bacteria in the past year despite treatment with at least 2 different antibiotics.
  • The enlarged tonsils cause severe trouble breathing or sleep disturbance.
  • There are deep pockets of infection in the tonsils that haven't responded to medication treatment.

Adenoidectomy. An adenoidectomy may be recommended if at least 1 of the following criteria is present:

  • The enlarged adenoids are obstructing the airway, causing trouble breathing and sleep disturbance.
  • The adenoids may cause persistent ear infections, despite antibiotic treatment.

If your doctor recommends surgery but none of the above criteria are met, it may be wise to get a second opinion.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David Messenger, MD
Last Revised January 10, 2012

Last Revised: January 10, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & David Messenger, MD

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