Beverly Hills tonsil surgery, also known as a tonsillectomy, is the surgical removal of the two oval-shaped pads of tissue at the back of the throat, called tonsils.
A tonsillectomy has been a common treatment for tonsillitis, a condition that causes infection and inflammation of the tonsils. Today, tonsillectomy is performed to treat sleep-disordered breathing, bleeding tonsils, and other problems associated with enlarged tonsils.
Tonsillitis is characterized by:
A tonsillectomy may be recommended if antibiotics are ineffective against the bacterial infection causing tonsillitis, or if drug treatment or a drainage procedure fails to treat an infection that is causing pus to form behind a tonsil (called tonsillar abscess).
Left untreated, enlarged tonsils may cause difficulty breathing and disrupt breathing during sleep, leading to a condition called obstructive sleep apnea.
The risks of a tonsillectomy include:
Prior to surgery, patients will be asked to provide the following information:
Patients will be instructed to:
If the tonsillectomy is being performed to treat obstructive sleep apnea, obstructions of the airway, or other conditions, patients may need to undergo a polysomnography before undergoing surgery.
After the procedure, patients may experience the following symptoms:
To promote recovery, patients will be instructed to take pain medication and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Patients should spend a few days resting in bed and avoid engaging in strenuous activities for two weeks after surgery.
