What are tonsils? What is a tonsillectomy?
Simply put, the tonsils are two small lumps of flesh on either side of our throat. Like sentinels, they help our immune system to prevent disease from entering our body. They are there to catch germs when they enter. However, sometimes these tonsils can cause us problems. They become swollen, infected, or large enough to interfere with breathing. That's when doctors recommend surgery to remove the tonsils. This surgery to remove the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. This is actually a very common surgery among young people.Why do you need to have a tonsillectomy?
Now you're probably wondering, "Why do I need to have my tonsils removed?" There are several main reasons.1. Difficulty breathing and suffocation during sleep due to large tonsils (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)
In some people, especially young children, the tonsils can become very large, blocking the airway in the throat.- It may feel like it's hard to breathe during the day.
- The problem increases especially at night when sleeping. Due to the large tonsils, the airway becomes more blocked, and you start to snore loudly. Sometimes, your breathing can suddenly stop for a few seconds during sleep. Then you breathe in and out again. This is what we call `(Obstructive Sleep Apnea)`.
Imagine, your child is snoring and suffocating while sleeping at night. This prevents him from getting a good, restful sleep. Then he is tired, sleepy during the day, and has difficulty concentrating on schoolwork. In the long run, this can cause health problems. That's when doctors recommend removing the tonsils.
2. Frequent tonsillitis and tonsillitis infections
The other main reason is frequent infection of the tonsils. We also call this `(Tonsillitis)`.- My throat hurts, it's hard to swallow food.
- Fever is coming.
- It may hurt your ears.
- The lymph nodes in the throat are swollen.
- If you have had tonsillitis at least 7 times a year and it has been confirmed by a doctor.
- Or, if you have infections more than 5 times a year for two years in a row .
- Or, if you have been getting infections at least 3 times a year for three years in a row .
What do you need to know before a tonsillectomy?
Okay, let's say you've been scheduled for surgery. Before that, the doctor will give you some advice.- Some medications (such as aspirin, which reduces blood clotting ) are advised to be stopped two weeks before surgery. The doctor will tell you exactly what these are.
- Your stomach should be empty on the day of your surgery. This means that you will be given instructions on how many hours before the surgery you should stop eating or drinking. This is very important , because if you have food in your stomach during anesthesia , it can come back up into your throat and cause problems. So, it is important to follow the instructions exactly.
- Don't forget to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and Ayurvedic medicines).
How is a tonsillectomy performed?
This surgery is performed by an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT Surgeon). You will not feel anything during this surgery. You will be given general anesthesia , which means you will be put to sleep. There is a special doctor for this, we call him an anesthesiologist. He will take good care of you from the beginning of the surgery until the end, monitoring everything from your breathing to your heartbeat.How the surgery is performed
The most important thing is that this surgery is done inside your mouth. This means that no incisions are made on the outside, so there is no visible scar. The doctor uses special instruments to carefully remove the tonsils. The entire surgery usually takes about half an hour.Types of Tonsillectomy
There are two main methods of removing tonsils:1. Traditional Tonsillectomy
In this method , both tonsils are completely removed. This is a long-standing and successful method.2. Intracapsular Tonsillectomy
This is a relatively new procedure. In this procedure, the doctor removes the infected tissue from the tonsils, but leaves a small layer of the thin membrane (capsule) that surrounds the tonsils. This protects the muscles under the throat. There are several advantages to this ``Intracapsular Tonsillectomy`` procedure:- Faster recovery : You recover faster than with other methods.
- Less pain: The sore throat felt after the surgery is much less.
- Less painkiller needed: Since the pain is less, you don't need to take a lot of painkillers.
- Lower risk of bleeding: This method has been found to have a lower risk of bleeding after surgery.
- Eating is easier: With less throat pain, you can eat and drink normally more quickly.
How is it after the surgery? (Post-Operative Care)
After the surgery, you will be taken to an observation room. It is normal for your throat to be a little sore when you wake up from the anesthesia.How to control pain?
- A sore throat may last for a week or two. The doctor will prescribe painkillers for you. Take them exactly as directed.
- You can apply an ice pack to the outside of your neck.
- Drinking cold water and eating cold things like ice cream can help relieve the pain.
Food and drink
- In the early days, it is difficult to swallow because of the sore throat. Therefore , you should eat soft foods such as liquids, soups, yogurt, jelly, ice cream, and mashed rice.
- Avoid eating sour, spicy, coarse, or hard foods (e.g., biscuits, chips). They can irritate your throat.
- Drink plenty of water. Keeping your throat moist will help it heal.
Rest and recovery
- You need to rest well for a few days after the surgery.
- Don't do heavy lifting, running, or jumping.
- You can usually go back to school and resume normal activities in about a week or two. However, this may vary depending on how quickly you recover. Ask your doctor when you can resume normal activities.
Things to pay attention to
Be aware of the following after surgery:- Bleeding from the mouth (a little blood with a little saliva is normal, but if there is a lot of blood).
- A high fever that does not subside after two or three days.
- Sore throat that I can't even drink water.
- Difficulty breathing.
If you have any of these symptoms , see a doctor or go to the hospital immediately. These could be signs of an infection or other complication.You may notice a white or yellow coating at the site of the surgery. This is not an infection, it is part of the healing process. It will go away in about a week and a half to two. It is also normal to have a slight bad breath these days.
Summary and Take-Home Message
A tonsillectomy is not something to be afraid of. It can be a great relief, especially for those who suffer from frequent throat infections and those who have difficulty breathing due to large tonsils.- Tonsils are tissues in the throat that help with immunity.
- Tonsils may need to be removed due to frequent infections or breathing difficulties.
- The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and since it is done inside the mouth, there are no external scars.
- The new ``Intracapsular Tonsillectomy'' procedure is less painful and the recovery is faster.
- Follow your doctor's instructions exactly after surgery. Eat soft foods, drink plenty of fluids, and rest.
Tonsillectomy, Tonsils, Throat Surgery, Tonsillitis, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Throat Infections, Children's Health
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