What if medical therapy fails?
The tonsils and adenoids are both made up of lymphatic tissue. This is the same type of tissue that is in the lymph nodes in the neck and other parts of the body. Lymph nodes are present in the body to help fight infection. Interestingly, removal of the tonsils does not cause problems with fighting infections. There are plenty of other lymphatic tissues to help fight infection. The tonsils are located in the back of the throat on the right and left sides and sometimes are easily visible. If the tonsils are small, often they are difficult to see. The adenoids are made up of the same type of tissue and are above the roof of the mouth, all the way behind the nose. The tonsils and adenoids are frequently involved in infections of the throat. Frequently during these times, the tonsils and adenoids will swell. What kind of problems occur with the tonsils and adenoids? Sometimes patients will have recurring infections of the tonsils. This is often due to a strep infection. Other people may ha
