Do people get their tonsils removed in your country?

Question

I heard that even in North America some people have had that done. Isn't that archaic?

Thank you fans for making this question have a rather high number of responses.

Blessings to all, those with or without tonsils.

For those of us with, let us respect our tonsils and keep them healthy and attached.

Answer 1

No , not at all, although the # of procedures has gown down over the years.

Parents often worry about their kids' tonsils, either because they seem big or because they get strep throat a lot.

But it doesn't seem like Pediatric ENT specialists take out tonsils (tonsillectomy) as much as they used to.

So when do tonsils need to come out?

Although it is true most doctors aren't as quick to do a tonsillectomy as they were in the past, kids do still get their tonsils out.

In fact, 'tonsillectomy remains the most common major operation performed on children in the United States,'1 ranking just above getting ear tubes.
Tonsillitis
Two common indications for a tonsillectomy include chronic tonsillitis, or having continuous symptoms for more than three to six months, or recurrent tonsillitis, which is usually defined as having tonsillitis at least five times in one year or three times a year for at least three years.2

On the other hand, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery recommends that children have a tonsillectomy if they have three or more episodes of tonsillitis in a year.

Keep in mind that a recent study, Tonsillectomy and Adenotonsillectomy for Recurrent Throat Infection in Moderately Affected Children, concluded that 'the modest benefit conferred by tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in children moderately affected with recurrent throat infection seems not to justify the inherent risks, morbidity, and cost of the operations.'3 And this study used even more stringent criteria before doing a tonsillectomy, only including children who had seven or more episodes of tonsillitis in one year, five or more episodes in two years, or three or more episodes in each of the previous three years.

So don't be surprised if your Pediatrician isn't quick to refer your child to get his tonsils out anymore.

What is tonsillitis? It is a throat infection, which can either be caused by the strep bacteria or a virus. While getting strep throat over and over is not the only reason to get your tonsils out, if your child has a sore throat because he has a cold and some post nasal drip, that shouldn't count as an episode of tonsillitis, unless his throat is also red and/or his tonsils have pus (exudate) on them.

In addition to the number of throat infections your child gets each year, you might also think about how mild or severe they are before considering a tonsillectomy. If your child has severe symptoms and misses a week of school each time he gets tonsillitis, then you might be a little quicker to get his tonsils out than if he has more mild symtoms.

Other infectious indications to get a tonsillectomy might include having a peritonsillar abscess two or more times or having cervical adenitis because of chronic tonsillitis.
Sleep Apnea
The other major reason that children get their tonsils out is because they are too large and they, along with large adenoids, are causing obstructive sleep apnea. Children with OSA usually snore, and may have 'labored breathing during sleep, observed apnea, restless sleep, diaphoresis, enuresis, cyanosis, excessive daytime sleepiness, and behavior or learning problems (including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).'4

Once a diagnosis of OSA is confirmed, these children usually get both a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A), unlike children who have a lot of tonsil infections, who usually just get their tonsils out.
Large Tonsils
In addition to sleep apnea, large tonsils (obstructive tonsil hyperplasia) can sometimes lead to feeding and swallowing problems, failure to thrive, mouth breathing, and speech problems. These children may also need a tonsillectomy.
What You Need To Know

* If you think your child has had too many throat infections or that his tonsils are simply too big, then ask your Pediatrician for a referral to a Pediatric ENT specialist to discuss if a tonsillectomy would be appropriate.

* On the other hand, if your Pediatrician recommends a tonsillectomy but you are hesitant to have surgery, then ask if it would be appropriate to wait a little longer.

* Keep in mind that a child's tonsils will often naturally get smaller as they get older and kids do usually get fewer infections as they get older, so your child might outgrow his tonsil problems before he needs to get them taken out.

* Since sleep apnea is a serious condition, you don't usually want to wait for your child to outgrow it and you should usually proceed with a T&A if your doctor suggests it.

Answer 2

Huh? LMAO When people get their tonsils removed, they are removed for a medical reason. Where the tonsils are located, alot of bacteria and infections can happen behind them in some people. This makes them inflamed. If it becomes chronic you have them removed.

Im in Australia and having the tonsils out (tonsilectomy) is common for throat inflammations. I had mine out when i was 12 and no it isnt archaic. If people are having constant problems with their tonsils and getting infections in that area why not take them out? It causes no side affects to have them removed and reduces the chances of throat problems as you get older.

Answer 3

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Cure Tonsil Stones Permanently?

Answer 4

Some people get their tonsils removed for medical reasons, like if a person has continual throat infections or enlarged tonsils. It's a common procedure in North America.

Answer 5

I heard somewhere that doctors figured that is no longer nessesary to remove the tonsils in North America.

Even if you get sore throats all the time. I heard that doctores figured that its not really the tonsils that are an issue in getting sore throats all the time.

Answer 6

well its not as common in the past 30 or so years as it used to be, but its still done.. I think in children who have multiple sore throats or ear infections..
My son between 1yr old and 3yrs had multiple infections.. They were planning on removing his tonsils and putting in ear tubes, but just around that time, he stopped getting infections and sort of grew out of it... So he is fine and has tonsils in tact now...

Answer 7

it is archaic
In Canada
I've heard it being done quite commonly in the 1960's and before then, but not anymore, its ridiculous! Infections can still happen even without tonsils, and there are so many antiseptic lozenges, sprays, gargles, mouthwashes, plus antibiotics if necessary. Surgery for tonsils is ridiculous.

Answer 8

In USA had it done. The doctors LIED. One thing I never did get to eat ice cream :0( and I do still get soar throats...I was so little this is all I remembered. Is that I could not eat ICE CREAM lol!

Answer 9

I had mine out at 5 yrs old. My son had his out at 5 yrs old, had he not, he'd not be able to hear today. My oldest daughter was 6 when they removed hers.
My husband is 54 & both of his is enlarged & has been for years.
He want have them out b/c its harder on older folks.

Answer 10

I thought I was going to have to have mine out because of so many throat problems. Fortunately, I outgrew my problems and haven't had in trouble since. \

This, by the way, is a truly strange question. Apparently, your intent was to insult those of us on the No, American continent. Feeling insecure, are you?