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Surgery to remove the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. Two oval-shaped tissue pads at the rear of the throat are called tonsils. One tonsil is present on each side. Previously, tonsillectomy was done to cure tonsil irritation and infection. Inflammation of tonsils is called tonsillitis. For this condition, tonsillectomy is still chosen, but only in cases when tonsillitis is recurrent or does not improve with conventional therapies. These days, tonsillectomy is mostly used to address sleep-related respiratory issues.
Tonsillectomy can also be done to address unusual tonsil illnesses and other issues related to breathing that are brought on by big tonsils. A tonsillectomy requires 10 to 14 days to recover.
| Reason | Description |
| Recurrent Tonsillitis | Frequent infections (typically 7+ episodes in one year, or 5 episodes for 2 consecutive years) that don’t respond well to antibiotics. |
| Chronic Tonsillitis | Persistent inflammation of the tonsils with symptoms like bad breath, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, and tonsil stones. |
| Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) | Enlarged tonsils block the airway during sleep, causing breathing pauses, snoring, restless sleep, and daytime fatigue or irritability. |
| Difficulty Swallowing | Enlarged tonsils can interfere with normal swallowing, impacting nutrition and leading to weight loss or poor growth in young children. |
| Tonsillar Abscess (Quinsy) |
A painful pus-filled infection behind the tonsils that doesn’t improve with antibiotics and may require surgical drainage or tonsillectomy. |
| Speech or Breathing Issues | Abnormally large tonsils can affect speech clarity and cause noisy breathing or mouth breathing. |
| Suspicion of Tumor or Growth | Rarely, if there is asymmetry or abnormal growth in one or both tonsils, a tonsillectomy may be done to rule out malignancy. |
| Recurrent Ear Infections | In some cases, enlarged tonsils along with adenoids contribute to middle ear infections or fluid buildup, necessitating removal. |
A tonsillectomy's main goal is to surgically remove the tonsils entirely in order to enhance a child's breathing, quality of sleep, and general health. This procedure helps to remove or treat the underlying cause and provides long-term relief when the tonsils start to cause ongoing issues that interfere with day-to-day functioning.
Additionally, tonsillectomy might lessen the requirement for medications and medical appointments. By removing the tonsils totally, children can have fewer disturbances to their routine, greater energy levels, better focus, and better growth and development.
To ensure that your child is healthy enough for surgery, your paediatric surgeon will do a regular examination prior to the procedure. They could ask for blood testing as well. You will get a comprehensive set of preoperative instructions from your child's paediatric surgeon. You should pay great attention to these guidelines.
In order to keep you comfortable and sleepy throughout the treatment, your child's paediatric surgeon will administer you general anesthesia. The tonsils will then be removed. This process won't cause you any discomfort. Tonsillectomies are performed by surgeons using a variety of techniques, such as:
| Tonsillectomy Method | Description |
| Electrocautery | Uses extreme heat to remove tonsils and simultaneously seal blood vessels to prevent bleeding. |
| Cold Knife Dissection | Traditional method using a scalpel to remove tonsils; bleeding is stopped with heat or sutures. |
| Snare Tonsillectomy | A wire loop (snare) is used to clamp and remove the tonsil, helping reduce bleeding. |
| Harmonic Scalpel | Uses ultrasonic vibrations to cut and seal tissue at the same time, minimizing blood loss. |
| Other Techniques | Includes radiofrequency, CO₂ laser, or microdebrider (cutting with suction), each with built-in bleeding control. |
Following your tonsillectomy, your child will be sent to a recovery area by your medical team. The doctor will examine your child's vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels, and ensure that there are no issues following surgery. A tonsillectomy is often performed as an outpatient treatment. Your child can thus return home that same day. Though these are uncommon, complications might hold you in the hospital overnight so your doctor can keep an eye on your condition.
Although they are uncommon, complications may occur. Among the potential risks are:
The surgical removal of your tonsils, tonsillectomy, is carried out by surgeons to treat chronic tonsillitis or sleep issues related to breathing. Ask your doctor if a tonsillectomy might be beneficial if you have trouble breathing while you sleep or if you have tonsil infections frequently. Not just kids might need a tonsillectomy but adults may also require this procedure, particularly those who have frequent sore throats or snore a lot.
Get a personalized care plan for tonsillectomy from expert pediatricians at Surya Hospital, the best tonsillectomy hospital for children in Mumbai. Book your consultation now!
Q1: What is the duration of recuperation following tonsillectomy?
A: In 10 to 14 days, the majority of kids recover. During this period, mild throat soreness, trouble swallowing, and fatigue are common but eventually your child will get better.
Q2: Can tonsils regrow following a tonsillectomy?
A: Although full regeneration is rare, limited fragments of tonsil tissue might appear again.
Q3: When can my child start playing or going back to school after tonsillectomy?
A: After a week or two, depending on their comfort level and the advice of their doctor, children typically resume their regular activities.
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