Removing tonsils in children

The tonsils are small, round pieces of tissue that are located in the back of the mouth on the side of the throat. Tonsils are thought to help fight infection by producing antibodies.

A tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed. Common reasons why tonsillectomies are performed include:

• Sleep apnea
• Frequent infections
• Trouble swallowing
• Breathing problems
• Tumor in the throat or nose