Does my child require surgery for tonsillitis?

Q: My 7 years old daughter has been suffering from recurring adenotonsillitis and the ENT specialist is advising surgery. What are the side effects of this surgery regarding future growth in height and on voice? We have been told that the child undergoing this surgery has less growth and the voice gets hoarse.

A:If your child is suffering from recurrent attacks of infection needing antibiotics most of the time, or has ear problems thereof or is a mouth breather, snorer or drools in the night, then the tonsils and adenoids are worth removing, which is a simple surgery with lasers and will not change voice, except it will remove the nasal twang the child has because of nasal blockage.