The tonsils are two small, oval-shaped glands located at the back of the throat. They are part of the lymphatic system, which helps to fight infection. In some cases, the tonsils can become infected or enlarged, which can cause problems such as difficulty breathing or swallowing. If this happens, a doctor may recommend having the tonsils removed.
Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. It is typically performed on children, but it can also be performed on adults. The surgery is usually done under general anesthesia, and it takes about 30 minutes to complete. After the surgery, the patient will need to stay in the hospital for a few days to recover.