Is Tonsil Surgery a Good Plan for Adults?

Many adults are shocked when their ENT recommends a tonsillectomy. They ask, isn’t that something for children? Or, is there an age limit for tonsil removal in adults? Well actually, there’s no real age limit on a tonsillectomy. Rather than considering your age, your provider will look for particular presentations and continuing symptoms which may then warrant having your tonsils taken out.

There may be some drawbacks to tonsil surgery just like with any other surgical procedure. Because of this, you should have a comprehensive discussion with your ENT about what the tonsil surgery will be like.

What is a tonsillectomy?

When you have a tonsillectomy, your tonsils will be surgically removed. That probably sounds pretty evident. But that’s not the end of it. Your tonsils are two lymph nodes at the back of your throat. Now, you have lymph nodes in your entire body, but these are special ones.

Lymph nodes are there to safeguard you from infection and sickness and that goes for your tonsils as well. Your tonsils may become inflamed as they intercept germs (that’s why your physician feels around in your throat and neck, because you can sometimes identify this inflammation with your other lymph nodes).

During a tonsillectomy, these two specific lymph nodes are carefully removed.

When is it appropriate for an adult to go through a tonsillectomy?

Tonsillectomy surgery isn’t performed as much as it used to be for a number of reasons (having said that, something like 500,000 tonsillectomies are still carried out every year, it’s quite a common procedure).

Here are a few signs that you may need to have your tonsils removed:

• Your tonsils are asymmetrical: Your lymph nodes, including your tonsils, should all be around the same size. So when one tonsil grows larger than the other, this can be an indication that you might need treatment (in some cases, it’s a possible sign of cancer). Your doctor may recommend removal of one or more of your tonsils if one grows bigger than the other.
• Your tonsils are damaged: In some circumstances, damage, like an abscess or sore, can be a source of distress and a cause for worry when it comes to your health. Your ENT may advocate for having your tonsils extracted in cases like these.
• Chronic infections: Before germs can get in and cause an infection, your tonsils are there to filter them out. But in some cases, your tonsils are too good at their job, and they continuously trigger infections instead of preventing them. These persistent infections are frequently managed by extracting the tonsils completely.
• You have sleep apnea: Your tonsils can occasionally cause breathing issues, typically in the form of sleep apnea. When your airways become blocked while you sleep, this is known as sleep apnea (this can cause some restless nights, including heavy snoring, and in rare cases even death). The airways will be clear when the tonsils are gone and you will get a more restful night’s sleep.

The upsides and the downsides of a tonsillectomy

As with any surgical procedure, there are pluses and minuses when it comes to tonsillectomy. What those benefits and drawbacks look like will depend on the reason your tonsils are extracted in the first place.

But there are some drawbacks to surgery. So with adults, what downsides does a tonsillectomy present? Among the most prevalent are the following:

• Complications: Any surgery has a risk of complications, and that’s certainly true when it comes to tonsillectomy. Your provider can help you better comprehend these complications.
• Discomfort: How painful is tonsil surgery in adults? It isn’t uncommon for this surgery to cause some pain. There’s even some evidence to indicate that adults often feel more pain and discomfort from tonsillectomy than children do (although the reasons for this are not well characterized).
• Recovery: Tonsillectomy surgery will normally take a bit of time to recuperate from. Even though the surgery will likely occur on an outpatient basis, that doesn’t mean the pain will go away in a day. Usually, tonsillectomy recovery will take 10-14 days.

Is a tonsillectomy right for you?

So, is it worth removing tonsils in adults? Each case needs to be taken on an individual basis. Your provider will decide whether this surgery is right for you based on your symptoms and your overall health.

In many instances, a tonsillectomy can signify a positive path forward and improve your overall wellness. If you’re having chronic sore throats, are dealing with sleep apnea, or are worried about your tonsil health, call us today.