Are you to undergo tonsil surgery?
Every year, 13,000 people in Sweden have their tonsils operated on. It’s one of the most common operations to be performed on children and young people. Tonsil surgery is also performed on adults.
It’s a safe and effective method of redressing recurring throat infections. Another reason for surgery is that the tonsils are too large so that they cause breathing problems resulting in restless sleep, snoring with interrupted breathing on occasions and/or difficulties in swallowing or speech problems.
The purpose of this information is to help everyone who undergoes tonsil surgery to feel as good as possible after surgery and to return to normal food and normal activities as quick as possible.
Children
Will you have tonsil surgery because your tonsils are enlarged and/or because you often get throat infections?
Watch and listen to Elias and Moas tales or read more
For Caregivers
Does your child need tonsil surgery?
Read more information what happens before, during and after operation and what to expect at home.
Adult patients
Read more information what happens before, during and after surgery and what to expect at home.
About tonsil surgery
Tonsil surgery is a quick surgical procedure, performed under general anesthesia. Tonsil surgery can be performed in two fundamentally different ways: Either a complete removal of both tonsils, a tonsillectomy. This is most commonly used when your child has repeated throat infections. The other type of surgery is when the protruding parts of the tonsills are removed, tonsillotomy, is often performed when the tonsils are enlarged and block the airway.
The ear, nose and throat (ENT/Otolaryngology) surgeon that will perform the operation will decide which surgical procedure is best suited for you. This decision is based on the problems your tonsils are causing you.
How is the surgery performed?
The surgery is performed under anaesthetics. During the surgery the tonsils are removed through the mouth. There’s usually only a small amount of bleeding, but any bleeding is carefully stopped during the operation.
Why do we have tonsils?
The tonsils are a part of the body’s immune system. They are located on either side of the back of the throat and are composed of lymphatic tissue. There is no evidence that suggests that tonsil surgery will increase the risk of developing lower respiratory related infections.
Frequently visited pages
Do you feel insecure and need advice on what happens and what to do at home after surgery?
Managing the pain after the surgery; when, how and what pain relief medication are recommended? Get help from our dosing calculator (only avaible in swedish and for children 3 years or older)!
Common questions about tonsil surgery.
When is tonsil surgery a good idea? Can tonsil surgery be performed in different ways?
