What is adenotonsillectomy?

Adenotonsillectomy is when doctors take out two tiny parts inside your throat that can sometimes cause trouble when you're breathing or sleeping.

Imagine your throat is like a hallway, and in it live two little friends, the adenoids and the tonsils. They help fight off germs, but sometimes they get too big or swollen, making it hard to breathe through your nose. It’s like having a bunch of toys blocking the path of your favorite slide.

When doctors do an adenotonsillectomy, it's like cleaning out that hallway so you can slide (breathe) more easily. They use special tools, kind of like a tiny vacuum and a small knife, to carefully take out those two little friends.

What happens after?

After the surgery, your throat might feel a bit sore, like when you swallow a big, hot soup without drinking water. But soon enough, you'll be back to playing, sleeping soundly, and breathing easily again!

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. A child has trouble breathing at night and is snoring a lot. The doctor removes their adenoids and tonsils to help them sleep better.
  2. Imagine taking out two small pieces from the back of your throat to make it easier to breathe while you're sleeping.
  3. A common surgery where doctors take out both the adenoids and the tonsils in one go.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity