Question
The baby’s tonsils are swollen to 3 degrees but there is no inflammation. After each cold, the tonsils fail to return to normal size, accompanied by adenoid hypertrophy and sinusitis, with symptoms such as nasal congestion, mouth breathing, and snoring with water during sleep. Is surgery treatment necessary? Will the surgery affect the immune system?
Answer
Based on clinical observations, even though the tonsils and adenoids are autoimmune organs, if they bring about adverse effects, surgery for removal should be considered. After surgery, the child’s immunity does not significantly decrease, so parents can rest assured. For children with nasal congestion, mouth breathing, and snoring with water during deep sleep caused by tonsillar and adenoid hypertrophy, even without signs of inflammation, surgery for removal should be considered. It is usually recommended to remove both the enlarged tonsils and adenoids to prevent the tonsils from shrinking again after surgery. If only half of the tonsils are removed, it may lead to the tonsils shrinking again after surgery.