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Tonsillectomy (with or without Adenoidectomy)

A Tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed for specific medical reasons. The operation typically takes around 20 minutes and is often performed together with an adenoidectomy (removal of the adenoids).

Intracapsular Coblation Tonsillectomy

This is a more recent and refined technique that removes the majority of the tonsil tissue while leaving the tonsillar capsule intact. A very small rim of tonsil tissue remains on the capsule. This approach has been shown to significantly reduce postoperative pain and bleeding, allowing for a faster and more comfortable recovery compared to the traditional (extracapsular) method.

Common Reasons for Tonsillectomy in Children

  • 1. Sleep-Disordered Breathing / Obstructive Symptoms
  • This is the most common reason for tonsillectomy in children.
  • Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can narrow the airway, leading to snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep (known as obstructive sleep apnoea), and poor-quality sleep.
  • In these cases, tonsillectomy is usually performed together with adenoidectomy to improve breathing and sleep quality.

  • 2. Recurrent Episodes of Acute Tonsillitis
  • Tonsillectomy may be recommended if a child suffers from frequent and significant tonsillitis infections, where the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks.
  • Guidelines suggest that surgery is considered when your child has had:
  • At least 7 episodes of acute tonsillitis in the past 12 months, or
  • At least 5 episodes per year for 2 consecutive years, or
  • At least 3 episodes per year for 3 consecutive years
  • Each episode should typically be documented by a healthcare professional and involve symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes.

  • 3. Asymmetrical Tonsils
  • If one tonsil is significantly larger than the other, a tonsillectomy may be advised to rule out any rare but more serious conditions that can occasionally present this way in children.

  • 4. PFAPA Syndrome
  • In children with PFAPA Syndrome (Periodic Fever, Aphthous stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis), tonsillectomy has been shown in studies to reduce or even eliminate the frequency and severity of episodes.

Recovery

Most children recover well within 7–10 days, especially after intracapsular coblation tonsillectomy, which is associated with less pain and a quicker return to normal eating and activities compared to the traditional method.