What are the tonsils?
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. The tonsils can usually be seen in the throat of your child by using a light.
Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils become inflamed from infection.
What are adenoids?
Adenoids are similar to the tonsils. The adenoids are made up of lymph tissue and are located in the space above the soft roof of the mouth (nasopharynx) and cannot be seen by looking in your child's nose or throat. Adenoids also help to fight infections. Adenoids may cause problems if they become enlarged or infected.
Adenoiditis is when the adenoids become inflamed from infection.
What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?
The symptoms of tonsillitis vary greatly depending on the cause of the infection, and can occur either suddenly or gradually. The following are the most common symptoms of tonsillitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
Sore throat
Fever (either low-grade or high-grade)
Headache
Decrease in appetite
Not feeling well
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach aches
Painful swallowing
Visual redness or drainage in the throat
The symptoms of tonsillitis may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always see your child's health care provider for a diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of adenoiditis, or enlarged adenoids?
The symptoms of adenoiditis vary greatly depending on the cause of the infection, and can occur either suddenly or gradually. The following are the most common symptoms of adenoiditis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
Breathing through the mouth
Noisy breathing
Snoring
Nasal speech
Periods at night when breathing stops for a few seconds
The symptoms of adenoiditis may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always see your child's health care provider for a diagnosis..
Treatment for tonsillitis and adenoiditis
Specific treatment for tonsillitis and adenoiditis will be determined by your child's health care provider based on:
Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
Extent of the infection
Type of infection
Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Expectations for the course of the infection
Your opinion or preference
Your child's health care provider will decide 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 health care provider may 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, but, sometimes, only one is removed. Your child's doctor will discuss this with you.
What are the reasons to have a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A)?
The reasons for this surgery are not well-defined, and many surgeons differ in their views. The following are some of the more widely accepted reasons for having a T&A:
Sleep apnea, or periods at night when your child stops breathing
Trouble swallowing
Tumor in the throat or nasal passage
Bleeding from the tonsils that cannot be stopped
Significant blockage of the nasal passage and uncomfortable breathing
The following are T&A Guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology:
Seven throat infections in one year
Five throat infections in each of two years
Three throat infections in each of three years
The guideline defines throat infections as having at least one of the following:
Fever above 101 degrees
Discharge on the tonsils
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Positive strep throat culture
The following are additional reasons that are more controversial regarding the removal of the adenoids and tonsils:
Bad snoring
Recurrent infections or abscesses in the throat
Recurrent ear infections
Hearing loss
Chronic sinusitis, or infection in the sinuses
Constant mouth breathing
Frequent colds
Cough
Bad breath
The following are some situations that DO NOT require removal of the tonsils, although each child will be evaluated on an individual basis:
Large tonsils. Some children have large tonsils. The tonsils will decrease in size after the ages of eight to 12 years. This, in itself, is not a reason to remove the tonsils, in most cases.
School absence. If your child seems to miss a lot of school due to different symptoms, such as a sore throat, removing the tonsils will not increase school attendance.
Poor appetite, allergies, or seizures. A T&A will not likely help any of these problems.
What happens during tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?
The need for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) surgery 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. This means that your child will have surgery and then go home the same day. Some children may be required to stay overnight, such as, but not limited to, children who:
Are not drinking well after surgery.
Have other chronic diseases or problems with seizures.
Have complications after surgery, such as bleeding.
Are younger than three years of age.
Have sleep apnea diagnosed be a sleep study. Depending on the severity of sleep apnea, your surgeon may elect to watch your child overnight.
Before the surgery, you will meet with different members of the health care team who are going to be involved with your child's care. These may include:
Day surgery nurses. Nurses who prepare your child for surgery. Operating room nurses assist the doctors during surgery. Recovery room (also called the Post Anesthesia Care Unit) nurses care for your child as he or she emerges from general anesthesia.
Surgeon. A doctor who specializes in surgery of the ear, nose, and throat.
Anesthesiologist. A doctor with specialized training in anesthesia. He or she will complete a medical history and physical examination and formulate a plan of anesthesia for your child. The plan will be discussed with you and your questions will be answered. This surgery requires a general anesthesia.
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 he or she can be monitored closely. After the child is fully awake and doing well, the recovery room nurse will bring the child back to the day surgery area.
At this point, if everything is going well, you and your child will be able to go home. If your child is going to stay the night in the hospital, the child will be brought from the recovery room to his or her room. Usually, the parents are in the room to meet the child.
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.
At home after a T&A
The following are some of the instructions that may be given to you to help care for your child:
Increased fluid intake
Pain medication, as prescribed
No heavy or rough play for a duration of time recommended by the surgeon
What are the risks of having a T&A?
Any type of surgery poses a risk to a child. A small percentage 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. The following are some of the other complications that may occur:
Bleeding (may happen during surgery, immediately after surgery, or at home)
Dehydration (due to decreased fluid intake; if severe, fluids through an intravenous, or IV, catheter in the hospital may be necessary)
Fever
Difficulty breathing (swelling of the area around the surgery; may be life-threatening if not treated immediately)