: Admin : 2022-04-20

What is tonsillectomy surgery?

A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure done to remove the tonsils. The tonsils (palatine tonsils) are a pair of soft tissue masses located at the rear of the throat (pharynx). Tonsillitis is an infection that commonly affects the tonsils. Your tonsils act as filters, trapping germs that could otherwise enter your airways and cause infection. They also make antibodies to fight infection. But sometimes, they get overwhelmed by bacteria or viruses. This can make them swollen and inflamed. Tonsillectomy is performed to treat tonsillitis. The surgery is also done to treat difficulties in sleeping and to cure frequent infections. Tonsillitis is common, especially in children. It can happen once in a while or come back again and again in a short period. Although it may seem like only children need to have their tonsils taken out, adults may also benefit from having their tonsils removed.

Why is a tonsillectomy performed?

A tonsillectomy is used to treat:-

• Usually, to treat recitative episodes of tonsillitis
• Tonsillar abscess-An infection that results in a collection of pus behind a tonsil  doesn't improve with drug treatment or a drainage procedure
• Recurring, chronic or severe tonsillitis
• Complications of enlarged tonsils
• Bleeding of the tonsils
• Other rare diseases of the tonsils
• Your tonsils are causing difficulty in breathing during sleep. This is often seen as frequent snoring.
• You have throat infections that keep coming back (6 or more times in a year), with infected and swollen tonsils (tonsillitis).

How to prep for it?

The doctor/surgeon will do a routine check-up of you and an in-depth check-up of your throat. He may also perform certain protocol tests, check your previous medical records and ask you to get some x-rays done. He will make sure that the patient is strong enough to make a full recovery after the procedure and has support. Once the patient passes all the tests and is cleared for surgery he will be instructed to not eat anything the night before surgery. This is done to ensure no complications (like throwing up) occur after the administration of anaesthesia. The surgery will usually last 30 minutes to an hour unless there are any complications and the patient may be discharged on the same day or the coming day, depending on his health and recovery.

How is the surgery performed?

A tonsillectomy can be performed in many ways. The surgery will be performed under general anaesthesia while you are sleeping. The surgery usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. You will not feel any pain while the doctor is removing the tonsils. All of the tonsils are usually removed, but some patients may benefit from a partial tonsillectomy.

A surgeon will use the technique that is best for the particular patient. The most common ways to take tonsils out include:

• Electrocautery: This method uses heat to remove the tonsils and stop any bleeding.
• Cold knife (steel) dissection: The tonsils are removed with a scalpel. Bleeding is then stopped with sutures or with electrocautery (extreme heat).
• Harmonic scalpel: This method uses ultrasonic vibrations to cut and stop bleeding from the tonsils at the same time.
• Other methods include the use of radiofrequency ablation techniques, a carbon dioxide laser, and/or a microdebrider.

What is the recovery like?

Healing after a tonsillectomy can be different for each person. However, the basics have been outlined below. Pain is common and may get worse 3 to 4 days after the surgery. This pain is often worse in the morning and may last up to 2 weeks. Your doctor will design a medication plan to address your pain. There may be discolouration where the tonsils were removed. When the area is healed completely in about 3 to 4 weeks, the discolouration will be gone. You should plan on resting at home for at least a week after the tonsillectomy and limit activity for 2 weeks. There is a risk of bleeding after a tonsillectomy. The risk decreases after 10 days.  Your provider will advise the best post-operative care for the patient, including the aftercare of the sight of surgery. Some rare complications can occur and must be dealt with quickly. If the patient is in immense pain, develops a fever or has uncontrollable bleeding please go back to your doctor.

After a tonsillectomy, a key to recovery is making sure that you drink enough fluids. Soft and/or cool foods often are easiest for about one week, but you may feel free to add things to your diet as long as you can tolerate the foods. You should still avoid hard and spicy foods. Foods like ice cream, smoothies, yoghurt, curd, puddings etc are recommended.