Candidates for tonsillectomy include children or adults with:
- Frequent recurrent tonsillitis.
- A history of peritonsillar abscess.
- Kidney and heart involvement due to the spread of bacteria from tonsillitis into the bloodstream.
- Enlarged tonsils causing snoring and sleep apnea.
- Halitosis (bad breath).
- Suspected malignancy.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, either with classic instruments and diathermy or with other bloodless techniques such as coblation or ligasure. Preoperative evaluation (blood tests, assessment by a cardiologist and anesthesiologist) is required, typically on the day of the surgery, a few hours before it begins.
The procedure usually lasts around 30-60 minutes.