A tonsillectomy may be recommended for patients who have a sleep-related disorder that is impacting their ability to breathe, as well as for patients diagnosed with tonsillitis who have not responded to other treatments. A tonsillectomy may also help alleviate symptoms related to enlarged tonsils and rare diseases of the tonsils.
Tonsils produce disease-fighting white blood cells that help keep the body healthy. Because the tonsils are the immune system’s first line of defense against viruses and bacteria that enter the mouth, they are especially vulnerable to infection and inflammation.
A tonsillectomy may help prevent frequent, recurring episodes of tonsillitis. Frequent may be defined as:
A tonsillectomy may also be recommended if:
Frequent or persistent infections may cause the tonsils to become enlarged. This may cause difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing and disrupted breathing during sleep. A tonsillectomy can help treat these symptoms.
For at least two weeks before the procedure, patients should avoid taking aspirin or other medications containing aspirin. Patients should abstain from eating and drinking after midnight before the day of the surgery. Recovery time can range from 10 days to two weeks. Compared to children, adults may need more time to recover.
Patients should ask their doctor the following questions to learn more about the procedure:
The patient will be under general anesthesia and will not feel any pain during the surgery. The surgeon may use a blade (scalpel) or a specialized surgical tool that uses heat or high-energy heat or sound waves to remove or destroy the tonsils.
Patients may experience pain in the throat, ears, jaw and or neck. To reduce pain and support recovery, patients should do the following:
The risks of tonsillectomy include:
