Enlarged Tonsils & Adenoids

The tonsils and adenoids are known as lymphoid tissue. They are very similar to other lymphatic tissue such as lymph nodes and help the body develop its immune system and fight infection. Many people wonder what will happen to their immune system after removal of either the tonsils or adenoids. Numerous studies have demonstrated that patients do not suffer more infections or other ill effects in their absence.

If the lymphoid tissue of the tonsils and adenoids becomes inflamed from an infection or other inflammatory process, they can become enlarged and this is known as tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy. Most of the time the tonsils and adenoids decrease in size after an infection has resolved, but sometimes they can remain enlarged and cause problems that may include nasal obstruction, snoring, sleep apnea, and trouble swallowing. If a patient develops these symptoms due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids, then removal of the tonsils and adenoids may be recommended. At Queen City Ear, Nose & Throat the physicians use the latest technology called Coblation that uses radiofrequency energy to remove the tonsils and adenoids. This results in less pain after surgery and a quicker recovery time. Most healthy children over three years old can go home the same day after surgery.