Tonsil And Adenoid Surgery
The tonsils sit at the back of the throat and the adenoids behind the nose; both are part of the immune system in early childhood but can become more trouble than help. Surgery is considered for tonsillitis that keeps returning, for enlarged tonsils and adenoids that obstruct breathing, and for recurrent ear infections or fluid linked to the adenoids.
Our contracted ENT surgeons in İstanbul perform tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children and adults, and place ventilation tubes in the same session when fluid behind the eardrum has affected hearing. Each operation is short, and the choice of procedure follows the child’s or adult’s specific symptoms rather than a fixed routine.
As an international patient or parent you send a short history of the infections or breathing problems, any sleep study and any hearing test first. The surgeon reviews them and proposes a plan before you travel, so the visit itself is short and predictable.
Conditions treated
- Recurrent tonsillitis in children and adults
- Enlarged tonsils and adenoids causing mouth breathing and snoring
- Obstructive sleep apnoea in children
- Recurrent ear infections and middle-ear fluid linked to the adenoids
- Peritonsillar abscess (quinsy) that has recurred
- Chronic tonsil stones or one-sided tonsil enlargement needing assessment
Procedures performed
- Tonsillectomy
- Adenoidectomy
- Ventilation Tube Application
What to expect
The four stages every international patient goes through with us.
- 01
Consultation and diagnostics
Examination of the throat, nose and ears, usually with a small endoscope to see the adenoids, plus a hearing test and eardrum pressure test in children with ear problems. If you have a sleep study or infection records, the surgeon reviews them remotely and tells you what, if anything, needs repeating in İstanbul.
- 02
Surgery
Performed under general anaesthesia through the mouth, with no external incision, usually taking twenty to forty-five minutes. Adenoids, tonsils and ventilation tubes can be dealt with in the same session, and the surgeon decides beforehand which combination is needed.
- 03
Hospital stay
Adenoidectomy and tubes are usually day cases; after tonsillectomy most patients stay one night so that eating, drinking and pain control are settled before discharge. A parent stays with a child throughout.
- 04
Follow-up from home
A throat check about a week after surgery, before you fly, once the healing period with the highest risk of bleeding has largely passed. After tonsillectomy the main tasks at home are regular drinking, soft meals and pain relief on schedule; our team stays in contact after you return.
Typical timeline
- Hospital stay
- Day case–1 night
- Stay in İstanbul
- 7–10 days
- Back to work or school
- 1–2 weeks
Typical ranges for an uncomplicated case. Your surgeon confirms your own plan after reviewing your reports.
Performed at
Contracted practices in İstanbul whose own treatment lists include this work.
Common questions
How painful is the first week, and what can we eat?
After tonsillectomy a sore throat and ear pain for one to two weeks are normal, often worst around days three to five, and are controlled with regular pain relief. Drinking plenty and eating soft, cool foods (yoghurt, soup, mashed potato, ice cream) helps the throat heal; adenoidectomy alone is usually much less uncomfortable.
Why do we need to stay in İstanbul for seven to ten days?
After tonsillectomy the white healing scabs in the throat separate around days five to ten, and this is when a late bleed, although uncommon, is most likely. Staying close to the surgeon through that window means any bleeding can be assessed and treated quickly. Your surgeon confirms when it is safe to fly.
Can I stay with my child?
Yes. A parent stays with the child on the ward, including overnight when a night in hospital is needed, and is usually with them before the anaesthetic and as they wake up. We plan accommodation, transfers and follow-up visits around the family so that the trip feels as calm as possible.
General information, not medical advice. Your treatment plan is set by the operating surgeon after reviewing your reports.