A tonsillectomy is a 3,000-year-oldsurgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed from either side of the throat. The procedure is performed in response to cases of repeated occurrence of acute tonsillitis or adenoiditis, obstructive sleep apnea, nasal airway obstruction, snoring, or peritonsillar abscess. For children, the adenoids are removed at the same time, a procedure called adenoidectomy. This is not common for adults. Although tonsillectomy is being performed less frequently than in the 1950s, it remains one of the most common surgical procedures in children in the United States. After the procedure when the patients fully recovered, they will have a noticeable difference with the sound of their voice.

Tonsillectomy may be indicated when the patient:

The American Academy of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) stated that "In many cases, tonsillectomy may be a more effective treatment, and less costly, than prolonged or repeated treatments for an infected throat ... For the past several years, the Academy has been developing clinical guidelines based on evidence and outcomes research, including ‘Quality of Life after Tonsillectomy,’ a January 2008 supplement to the journal Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery."