Tonsillectomy: Anatomy and Surgical Overview

The palatine tonsils are two lymphoid tissue masses at the lateral oropharynx (behind the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches), one on each side.

Tonsillectomy is surgical removal, typically for:

• Recurrent streptococcal tonsillitis (≥7 episodes/year, ≥5/year ×2 years, ≥3/year ×3 years)
• Obstructive sleep apnea (hypertrophy)
• Peritonsillar abscess
• Suspicion of malignancy

Techniques: cold steel, electrocautery, coblation, microdebrider. Recovery: 10–14 days; pain management, hydration, soft diet. Risks: bleeding (primary/secondary), infection, velopharyngeal insufficiency.