Tonsils are specialized organs that are part of the lymphatic system and provide your body’s first protective barrier. They protect against foreign substances that you inhale or ingest through the nose or mouth. Once trapped in the tonsils, bacteria or viruses are then transported tolymph nodes, where specialized immune cells cluster to fight infection.
However, in some cases, tonsils may become infected and need to be removed through a very common procedure called a tonsillectomy.
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Three Pairs of Tonsils in the Throat
The three pairs of tonsils are:
A bit contrary to their function, the tonsils can become infected.
When examining your tonsils, a physician will ask for your medical history, perform a physical exam, and, in some cases, take an X-ray to examine the adenoids further.
In adults, if only one tonsil is significantly enlarged, this could be a sign of cancer of the tonsil.
Tonsil enlargement is not always considered a problem. However, individuals with enlarged tonsils should be evaluated for the following possible problems related to enlarged tonsils:
Tonsillectomy
The tonsils can be surgically removed if necessary. This is called atonsillectomy. There are two types of tonsillectomies: complete removal and partial removal.
At one time, physicians removed tonsils after just one or two infections. Due to the risks associated with removing the tonsils, surgeons have become much more conservative in offering this surgery. That said, tonsillectomy still is frequently performed in the United States, and complications are rare.
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy (T&A)
Most people who receive T&A are children, specifically children with either recurrent bacterial infections that can’t be treated with antibiotics or children with obstructed breathing secondary to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Typically, T&A is less painful for younger children than it is for either adolescents or adults.
Uncomplicated T&A is performed either in a hospital or clinic and is an outpatient procedure. In other words, the patient who receives a T&A doesn’t need to spend a night in the hospital and can instead go home after a period of observation. However, very young children or children with severe obstructive sleep apnea may have to stay overnight.
What to Expect After T&A
Most children will take about seven to 10 days to fully recover after a T&A. Many children experience light bleeding within 24 hours following surgery, in addition to fever and inflammation after the procedure.This inflammation, orswelling, can cause short-term snoring.
Furthermore, mild pain is often experienced after T&A. Adolescents and adults, however, often experience more severe pain. Options for pain control include pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and prescription medications.
Tonsil bleedsmay also occur again seven to 10 days after the surgery, when the scabs (eschar) fall off.
During recovery, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids and eat a soft diet. Some people lose weight during this period of convalescence because it can hurt to eat.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rout MR, Mohanty D, Vijaylaxmi Y, Bobba K, Metta C.Adenoid Hypertrophy in Adults: A case Series.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;65(3):269-74. doi:10.1007/s12070-012-0549-yWetmore RF.Surgical management of the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy patient.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;3(3):176-182. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2017.01.001
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rout MR, Mohanty D, Vijaylaxmi Y, Bobba K, Metta C.Adenoid Hypertrophy in Adults: A case Series.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;65(3):269-74. doi:10.1007/s12070-012-0549-yWetmore RF.Surgical management of the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy patient.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;3(3):176-182. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2017.01.001
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rout MR, Mohanty D, Vijaylaxmi Y, Bobba K, Metta C.Adenoid Hypertrophy in Adults: A case Series.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;65(3):269-74. doi:10.1007/s12070-012-0549-yWetmore RF.Surgical management of the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy patient.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;3(3):176-182. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2017.01.001
Rout MR, Mohanty D, Vijaylaxmi Y, Bobba K, Metta C.Adenoid Hypertrophy in Adults: A case Series.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;65(3):269-74. doi:10.1007/s12070-012-0549-y
Wetmore RF.Surgical management of the tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy patient.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;3(3):176-182. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2017.01.001
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