adenotonsillectomyis

Adenotonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the adenoids and the palatine tonsils. It is commonly performed in children to treat enlarged lymphoid tissue that causes airway obstruction or recurrent throat infections, and occasionally in adults for persistent symptoms.

Indications for the procedure include recurrent or chronic tonsillitis, adenoidal hypertrophy causing nasal obstruction or sleep-disordered breathing, chronic otitis media with effusion, and related airway or ear problems when nonoperative management has failed or symptoms are disabling.

The operation is typically performed under general anesthesia and is often an outpatient procedure. The adenoids are removed from the nasopharynx through the mouth, while the palatine tonsils are removed from the oropharynx. Techniques used to remove these tissues include cold dissection, electrocautery, ultrasonic devices, or coblation, with attention to hemostasis and preservation of surrounding structures.

Recovery involves several days of throat pain and swallowing difficulty, with most patients resuming normal activities within one to two weeks. Adequate hydration and appropriate analgesia are important; caregivers are usually advised on pain control regimens and dietary modifications during healing.

Potential complications include bleeding (which may occur early or later in the postoperative period), infection, dehydration, and anesthesia-related risks. Long-term outcomes are generally favorable, with significant improvements in sleep-disordered breathing and a reduction in throat infections for many patients, though some may retain mild symptoms.