Every individual patient's situation is different—and so are the benefits that they might experience with a tonsillectomy. Some patients may have a tonsillectomy because their tonsils have become enlarged. Other patients may have their tonsils removed because of chronic or recurrent tonsil infection.
Enlarged tonsils blocking the upper airway can lead to breathing problems that can cause sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) problems, including snoring and sleep apnea.1 SDB has been associated with inattention, hyperactivity, and other behavior problems.1,2 These symptoms may be relieved in patients with enlarged tonsils who undergo tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.3
While healthy tonsils may play a role in immune function, diseased or infected tonsils may contribute to chronic or recurrent sore throat.4 In these cases, patients who have their tonsils and/or adenoids removed may have fewer throat infections and reduced days of absence from school due to sore throat and upper respiratory infections.5
