The tonsils are small, round pieces of tissue that are located in the back of the mouth on the side of the throat. Tonsils are thought to help fight infections by producing antibodies. Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils become inflamed from infection.
Adenoids are made up of lymph tissue and are located in the space above the soft roof of the mouth. They cannot be seen by looking in your child's nose or throat. Adenoiditis occurs when the adenoids become inflamed from infection.
The symptoms of tonsillitis vary greatly, depending on the cause of the infection, and can occur either suddenly or gradually. The most common symptoms of tonsillitis include:
The symptoms of adenoiditis vary greatly depending on the cause of the infection, and can occur either suddenly or gradually. Common symptoms include:
Specific treatment for tonsillitis and adenoiditis will be determined by your child's physician based on:
Your child's physician will determine the best treatment for your child. Treatment depends on the cause of the infection, the severity of the infection and the number of times the child has developed infections. Your child's physician may also order antibiotics to help with the infection. Some children may be referred to an ear, nose and throat surgeon to have the tonsils and adenoids removed. This surgery is called a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A). Often, the tonsils and adenoids are removed at the same time.
The reasons for T&A surgery are not well defined, and many surgeons differ in their views.
Widely accepted reasons for having a T&A are:
The following are T&A guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology:
The sore throats must be associated with the following:
The following are more controversial reasons for recommending removal of the adenoids and tonsils:
T&A surgery is the most common surgery performed on children in the United States. About 400,000 surgeries are performed each year. The need for a T&A will be determined by your child's ear, nose, and throat surgeon and discussed with you. Most T&A surgeries are done on an outpatient basis, but some children may be required to stay overnight, such as children who:
Before the surgery, you will meet with the healthcare team who handle your child's care. These may include a surgeon, nurses and an anesthesiologist. During the surgery, your child will be anesthetized in the operating room. The surgeon will remove your child's tonsils and adenoids through the mouth. There will be no cut on the skin. In most cases, after the surgery your child will go to a recovery room where they can be monitored closely. Bleeding is a complication of this surgery and should be addressed immediately by the surgeon. If the bleeding is severe, the child may return to the operating room.
Your physician may recommend increased fluid intake, pain medication, a soft food diet and refraining from heavy play while your child recovers at home.
Any type of surgery poses a risk to a child. About 5% of children begin bleeding from the surgery site about five to eight days after the surgery, and may require additional blood and/or surgery. Some children may have a change in the sound of their speech due to the surgery. Additional complications that may occur:
