Political Analysis and Global Affairs

  Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils, which are two small masses of tissue at the back of the throat that are part of the body's immune system. In some people, the tonsils become infected or enlarged, causing severe sore throats, snoring, or other problems. Tonsillectomy may be advised if you have obstruction causing sleep apnea, or you may need surgery if you have recurring, chronic, or severe infections 1 . Indications Some common indications for tonsillectomy in adults include: Chronic throat infection, which is the most common reason. Adults who have the surgery usually have had several sore throats over 1 to 3 years or have had a peritonsillar abscess 11 . Sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea 4 . Enlarged tonsils that cause difficulty swallowing or obstruct the airway 6 . Procedure Tonsillectomy is usually done as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, which means patients can go home the day of the surgery. During the surg...