Tonsils are round, reddish masses on each side of the throat. Adenoids are high in the throat behind the nose and roof of mouth (soft palate). Sometimes they become so large that they cause obstruction of the nose and mouth and need to be removed. The tonsils and adenoids are removed in a surgical setting through the mouth requiring general anesthesia.
Some indications for T&A include:
- Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
- Recurrent strep throat
- Recurrent tonsillitis
- Sleep apnea
You will be asked to arrive at a surgical center or hospital. After check in, the patient will be taken to a pre-op room. From there, the patient will then be taken to the operating room and given a general anesthetic. During the procedure, a surgeon will remove the tonsils and/or adenoids. Because the surgeon will remove the tonsils through the patient’s mouth and the adenoids through the nose, there will be no scar present on the patient’s skin. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. The patient will then be taken to the recovery room. Depending on the patient’s age and overall health, patients may be required to stay overnight for observation.