Tonsils are two collections of lymphoid tissue that are located beside the base of the tongue. Adenoids are located at the very back of the nasal cavity. Adenoids and tonsils may become infected. Some infections are severe like a peritonsillar abscess. We make sure that medical management options are exhausted first, but we do perform surgery to remove this tissue if necessary. Adenoids and tonsils can also become enlarged leading to airway obstruction. Sometimes surgery is necessary to open the airway and to improve obstructive sleep apnea.
Surgical removal of adenoids and tonsils are more commonly done in pediatric patients, but some adult patients will need this procedure.
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