Tonsillectomy
Key points
- The tonsil glands serve as agents against infections.
- Tonsillectomy is advisable when tonsillitis attacks are so frequent or severe that they affect a child's general health or interfere with school, hearing, or breathing.
- In rare instances, post-surgical bleeding can go unnoticed and can cause serious consequences.
- In most cases, the surgery clears problems immediately.
Alternative names
Tonsils removal
Definition
Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils.
Description
The tonsil glands serve as agents against infections. However, in some people, particularly in children who have large tonsils, these glands perform less efficiently and can cause frequent throat and ear infections or may obstruct breathing. In these cases, surgery to remove the tonsils is of benefit.
While the patient is under general anesthesia, the ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgeon holds the mouth open to expose the tonsils. The tonsils are then cut away with an instrument or a cautery (burning instrument). Bleeding is controlled, and the cut heals naturally without stitches.
Indications
Tonsillectomy is advisable when tonsillitis attacks are so frequent or severe that they affect a child's general health or interfere with school, hearing, or breathing. However, some physicians believe tonsillectomies are done more often than necessary, so a second opinion should be obtained when there is any doubt.
Specifically, the guidelines for surgery are:
- 7 or more episodes of tonsillitis in 1 year
- 5 or more episodes per year over a 2-year period
- Enlarged tonsils that interfere with breathing
- An abscess in the tonsils
- Grossly asymmetric tonsils
Tonsillectomy may be advised if the tonsils are enlarged and obstructing access to the adenoids during an adenoidectomy or if the physician suspects the presence of a tonsil tumor.
Risks
Risks for any anesthesia include the following:
- Reactions to medications
- Breathing problems
Risks for any surgery include the following:
- Bleeding
- Infection
In rare instances, post-surgical bleeding can go unnoticed and can cause serious consequences. Frequent swallowing may be a sign of bleeding from tonsils.
Other risks include injury to the uvula (soft palate).
Expectations after surgery
In most cases, the surgery clears problems immediately. After surgery, the number of throat infections is reduced, but not completely eliminated.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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