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| Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy |  Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are surgical procedures, with the help of which tonsils and adenoids are removed. These surgeries are used to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children and adults. However, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are rarely used to treat snoring in adults. They are not used to treat snoring in children.
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy generally require a stay in the hospital.
After surgery you may need close monitoring. Your doctor or surgeon will watch for throat swelling, nerve injury, and sleepiness that can be caused by the surgery itself and the medicines that are used during the procedure. Your doctor will also watch for your blood oxygen levels during the first 2 to 3 nights after surgery.
Children who are younger than 3 years and who have other medical conditions, like Down syndrome, have more chances of complications, especially difficulty breathing. These children may need oxygen therapy or continuous positive airway pressure after surgery.
These procedures may be suggested to treat sleep apnea if you have enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are limiting your airway during sleep. This is often the first treatment option for children because enlarged tonsils and adenoids are usually the cause of their sleep apnea.
After tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy children usually have a noticeable improvement in their symptoms of sleep apnea within 6 months of the surgery. Decreases in snoring, coughing, and colds are observed. Hyperactivity and other behavioral problems will decrease.
In children, these procedures appear to be successful in treating obstructive sleep apnea 75% to 100% of the time, even if the child is obese.
Risks
After a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, your throat will be sore. This can cause difficult eating and swallowing for a few days. Some other complications, like infection or excessive bleeding, are possible after surgery.
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