Tonsils are lymph-like soft tissues located on both sides of the throat. Tonsils help your body fight infection by producing antibodies to combat bacteria that enter through the mouth and nose.

The adenoids are a single ball of soft tissue located high in the throat, behind the nose. They are composed primarily of lymph tissue, and serve to trap incoming germs before they can cause harm. In addition, the adenoids contain cells that make antibodies to help your body fight off infection.

The adenoids are located very high in the throat, so the only way your doctor can see them is by looking through a mirror placed in your throat or a tiny telescope placed in your nose.

Yes. For example, it is often both the tonsils and the adenoids that are enlarged which can lead to obstructive sleep disorder. An infection in the tonsils (tonsillitis) can also spread to the adenoids (adenoiditis). Both of these conditions may require a person to have both their tonsils and adenoids removed at the same time.

When the tonsils and adenoids are removed together, it is called a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, or T&A, for short. Approximately 600,000 people have their tonsils removed each year in the United States and it's the second most common surgery performed on children. Approximately 200,000 adenoidectomy-only procedures are also performed each year.

• Sleep disorders
• Failure to thrive
• Abnormal chin and facial growth
• Suspicion of malignancy
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Speech impairment
• Chronic bad breath (halitosis)

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common reason for a T/A procedure. However, not all T/A procedures are the same.

The most common reason tonsils are removed is because they are too large and block the throat, which may interfere with normal breathing, nasal sinus drainage, sleeping, swallowing and speaking. They may also aggravate snoring and can even cause an alarming condition called sleep apnea, which involves an occasional stoppage of breathing.

Tonsils and adenoids can cause health problems when they become infected or obstruct normal breathing or nasal/sinus drainage. Recurring infections in the tonsils can lead to chronic tonsillitis. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Persistent sore throat
• Redness of the tonsil area
• Yellow discharge on the tonsils
• Tender lymph nodes on both sides of the neck

Depending on symptoms, and the frequency of infection, tonsils are typically treated with either antibiotics or removed surgically in a procedure called a tonsillectomy. Doctors typically recommend performing a tonsillectomy for infected tonsils based on the following guidelines:

• 3-4 episodes of infectious tonsillitis per year for three consecutive years
• 5 episodes of infectious tonsillitis in one year or
• 7 episodes of infectious tonsillitis in two years

Patients report a better overall experience with Coblation tonsillectomy after surgery when compared to traditional tonsillectomy procedures. Studies show that patient calls and visits to the doctor due to problems after surgery are significantly less with Coblation tonsillectomy.¹

Coblation tonsillectomy has been shown in clinical studies to speed a child’s return to normal activity and diet, and to decrease pain and use of medications after the procedure. When compared to older, heat-based technologies such as electrocautery, Coblation also reduces the possibility of unwanted bleeding after the tonsils are removed.

Because of tissue damage caused by the heat of traditional tonsillectomy procedures, patients often take up to two weeks to return to a normal diet and to resume normal activity. Coblation tonsillectomy is the gentle alternative offering a rapid recovery and minimal discomfort, with most patients resuming a normal diet and activities within just a few days. Coblation tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies are both outpatient procedures that take less than 30 minutes to perform.

Coblation tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are quick procedures that take less than 30 minutes, and are performed in an operating room in either a hospital or a walk-in surgery center under general anesthesia. Most patients stay in the facility only a few hours after the procedure is completed.

Your doctor or nurse will provide you with instructions to follow after the procedure, which may include antibiotics and oral rinses for up to 1 week. Some minor pain medication may also be prescribed.

Patients should discuss the possible risks and complications associated with any procedure performed under general anesthesia with their doctor. For all tonsillectomy procedures, in addition to general anesthesia risks, 2-3% of tonsillectomy patients can experience post-operative bleeding (up to 5-10 days after surgery). Fever can be present, and dehydration and weight loss can occur, especially among children who won't eat or drink due to pain.

If your doctor recommends your tonsils and/or adenoids be removed, then you are a candidate.