Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure during which the palatine tonsils are removed. The palatine tonsils are two formations of lymphoid tissue located on both sides of the back of the throat.
How is palatine tonsil surgery performed?
The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. During the procedure, the palatine tonsils are removed together with their capsule. The procedure is performed through the mouth, without any incisions on the face.
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Indications for palatine tonsil surgery:
recurrent tonsillitis, or frequent inflammation of the palatine tonsils;
sleep apnoea and airway obstruction caused by hyperplastic, or pathologically enlarged, palatine tonsils.
Preparation for surgery:
consultation with an otolaryngologist, or ENT specialist;
standard examinations required before any surgery under general anaesthesia, including blood tests, chest X-ray, and electrocardiogram, or ECG. The patient is informed in detail about the preparation process.
Adenotomy
Adenotomy is the removal of the nasopharyngeal tonsils, or adenoids. Adenoids are located behind the nose, in the upper part of the throat, and cannot be seen simply by looking into the mouth.
Tonsillotomy
Tonsillotomy is a partial reduction of the throat tonsils rather than their complete removal. The throat tonsils are the two “tonsils” visible on the sides of the throat. Tonsillotomy is more commonly performed in children when the tonsils are very large and interfere with breathing, cause snoring, or cause signs of sleep apnoea. Unlike tonsillectomy, where the tonsils are removed completely, part of the tonsil tissue remains after tonsillotomy.
Both procedures are often related to paediatric ENT problems, such as nasal blockage, snoring, breathing disturbances during sleep, or ear problems. The most suitable method is determined by an ENT specialist after examination.
After the surgery
After the surgery, the patient spends one night in the inpatient department.
During the postoperative period, discomfort and pain in the throat are typical and may radiate to the ears. It should be taken into account that for one month after the surgery, the patient must follow a rest regimen, and a gentle diet should be followed for at least three weeks. A whitish-grey coating will appear in the tonsil beds and must not be removed. Detailed recommendations are provided to each patient individually.
The most common complication after palatine tonsil surgery is bleeding.
In case of bleeding, urgent medical assistance must be sought.
