Question
The child has had a problem with enlarged tonsils since infancy. There is no pain and it doesn’t affect daily life, but a doctor suggested that surgery might be needed as they grow older. Now that the child is seven, how should this issue be dealt with?
Answer
If the child experiences snoring during sleep, a feeling of obstruction when swallowing, or frequent episodes of tonsillitis, it is recommended to undergo bilateral tonsillectomy after controlling the inflammation. If the episodes are occasional and the inflammation can be effectively controlled, surgery may not be necessary. However, if tonsillitis recurs frequently, it is advisable to have surgery after controlling the inflammation, as this may lead to complications such as rheumatic heart disease and nephritis.