Tonsil reduction reduces breathing difficulties at night and improves sleep quality in children with large tonsils

At Charlottenlund Private Hospital, some of Denmark's most experienced surgeons are ready to perform surgery on enlarged tonsils without waiting time.

Do you or your child suffer from very large tonsils that cause problems in the form of restless sleep, breathing pauses (also called sleep apnea) or eating difficulties due to very large tonsils?


In that case, a tonsillotomy (reduction of the tonsils) can be an effective solution to the problems that large tonsils can cause - primarily affected breathing and restless sleep.


At Charlottenlund Private Hospital, we perform several hundred tonsillotomies annually and have extensive experience and expertise in the procedure. The operations are typically covered by private health insurance.


Tonsil reduction under general anesthesia

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 20-30 minutes. Unlike tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils), tonsil reduction is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the tonsil tissue is removed to reduce the size of the tonsils. This can relieve breathing problems while preserving the tonsils. It causes less pain and risks, which is why the procedure is also offered to children under 20 kg - unlike total removal. The procedure can also be performed on adults, although total removal is often chosen instead.


Aftercare and healing

  • Most children only experience mild discomfort in the first few days.
  • The pain may increase after a few days and last up to 7-10 days.
  • Most people can resume school or kindergarten after about 4-7 days.


Our specialist doctors ensure that you receive thorough information about the aftercare and pain relief on the day of surgery.


Book a consultation

Do you or your child suffer from very large tonsils? Contact Charlottenlund Private Hospital for an assessment by one of our specialists. We ensure you a safe and secure treatment with the country's highest expertise.


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  • What is a tonsil reduction?

    In a tonsil reduction, only the outer part of the tonsils is removed, while the inner part is left in the throat and shaped like a small tonsil. This technique involves cutting within the tonsil tissue, where there are significantly fewer blood vessels and nerves compared to the area affected in a total tonsillectomy. As a result, the risk of bleeding and post-operative pain is minimal compared to the traditional complete removal of the tonsils.

  • When is tonsil reduction offered instead of removal?

    When the only issue with the tonsils is that they are too large, it is often best to simply reduce their size rather than remove them entirely.


    This is particularly relevant for patients experiencing breathing pauses due to the tonsils blocking the airway in the throat. By reducing the size of the tonsils, the airway is reopened, and problems with breathing pauses (sleep apnea) become a thing of the past. This is a very gentle and effective treatment with virtually no risks.


    The procedure is often performed together with the removal of adenoids (adenotomy) and has excellent results when these two procedures are combined.

  • Why choose Charlottenlund Private Hospital?

    Safe and Compassionate Care from Attentive Staff with Minimal Risk


    Charlottenlund Private Hospital has extensive experience with tonsillectomy. We offer:


    • Experienced specialists with a high number of procedures performed

    • Minimal risk of complications – we have not recorded a single case of bleeding after this procedure, which we have performed over 1,000 times

    • Modern facilities and the latest equipment for an optimal patient experience

    • Pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatric anesthesia nurses, and specialized recovery nurses who ensure a safe and comfortable experience for children

    • The ability to operate on children as young as 2 years old

    • Access to an online video that guides children through the procedure to help them feel prepared

Be operated on in a safe environment by caring surgeons and attentive staff




A short video showing how Sarah meets for surgery and anesthesia at Charlottenlund Private Hospital - and goes home with a nice new teddy bear from TrygFonden in her hand.