Tonsillectomy

More than 80% of Americans have had a sore throat. Sore throat is one of the first symptoms when you get an infection in your tonsils. A tonsillectomy is the removal of the tonsils. The tonsils are oval-shaped pieces of tissue in the back of your throat. Before getting your tonsils removed you have one on the left back of your throat and one on your right. Your tonsils are used to fight infections and trigger your immune system when something enters your body from your nose or mouth. 

Tonsillectomy is used to treat breathing problems happening during sleeping, bleeding of the tonsils, and tonsillitis which is the inflammation of your tonsils. This surgery is extremely common with kids under 15. In the US there are still over 500,000 cases of tonsillectomies a year. 

To be a candidate for this surgery the family history is crucial to know if the patient is allergic to anestasia or other antibiotics. The patient could also need a blood test but not always necessary. When the patient is ready for the surgery, the anesthesiologist puts the patient under general anestasia. 

Tonsillectomies are done in many ways: Electrocautery, Cold Knife Dissection, Snare Tonsillectomy, Harmonic Scalpel, and more. This procedure only takes 20-30 minutes. In the different ways to perform this procedure, commonly it starts with removing the tonsils. They can use a knife, snare (a thin wired loop), or ultrasonic vibrations to cut off the tonsils. To stop the bleeding after, the surgeon can use an extreme amount of heat or electrocautery to slow and stop the bleeding. 

After the surgery, post-op care usually takes place at home if no complications happen during surgery. Pain management can include medicine prescribed by your doctor. Patients need to get lots of rest, fluids, and bland foods that are easy to eat like applesauce. This procedure often has a positive effect on patients enhancing breathing and decreasing infections.

Written by Hadlie Darke-Schreiber at Incisionary

References

Cleveland Clinic. “Tonsillectomy.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, last reviewed 17 Oct. 2022,   my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15605-tonsillectomy. Accessed 28 Sept. 2025.

Mayo Clinic. “Tonsillectomy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13  Sept. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tonsillectomy/about/pac-20395141. Accessed  28 Sept. 2025.