Getting your tonsils out used to be one of the milestones of childhood. But recently, the procedure has become less common than it was a generation ago. If a doctor suggests a tonsillectomy, it is important to know the risks and possible rewards of such a surgery.

A tonsillectomy usually involves removing two different organs: the tonsils and the adenoids. The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system, or in other words, a part of your immune system, in the back of the throat. The adenoids are also lymph gland tissue located behind the nasal passages. During a tonsillectomy, a doctor goes in through the mouth to remove both connected organs.

In many cases, this surgery is performed on children to help relieve chronic sore throats or tonsillitis, the inflammation of the tonsils themselves. Often, children prone to rounds of strep throat are recommended to have a tonsillectomy. This surgery can be done on adults as well to treat similar problems.

Recently, some studies have shown that this surgery may not be quite as effective as it was once thought. This new information, combined with the idea that children need lymph glands to help build their immune systems, has made the surgery much less common than it once was. Yet, a tonsillectomy is still the most common major surgery performed in children.

As with any surgery, when considering a tonsillectomy, a patient must always look at the possible side effects. The most obvious would be the surgery not working as effectively as a patient hoped. Another serious side effect is bleeding. In some cases, a patient may need a blood transfusion if serious bleeding occurs after the tonsillectomy. This side effect has been documented, but serious bleeding is said to be relatively rare. Severe dehydration and a change in the pitch or tone of the patient’s voice have also been noted in some cases.

Understanding why the surgery is necessary as well as the surgery’s benefits and possible side effects can help patients make informed decisions regarding their own and their children’s health.