Has the doctor told your child to have a tonsillectomy? Let's be aware of this.

Does your child have a sore throat all the time? Does he have bad breath when he talks? Or does he snore at night or have difficulty breathing? The cause of these things may be that the child's tonsils are enlarged or frequently infected. In such a case, a doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy, a surgery to remove the tonsils. So, let's talk about everything in simple terms today.

What are tonsils? What happens with this surgery?

Simply put, the tonsils are two lumps of tissue located at the back of your throat on either side. They are part of our immune system, the system that fights disease. Their main function is to identify and teach our body to fight off germs that enter the body.

Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of these two tonsils. Sometimes, the doctor may also remove another gland along with the tonsils. These are called adenoids. These are located at the top of the throat, behind the nose. Like the tonsils, they are not visible when the mouth is open. The surgery to remove the adenoids is called an adenoidectomy.

Why does a child need a tonsillectomy?

There are several main reasons why your child's doctor may recommend this surgery. A doctor may consider this surgery if your child's tonsils are very swollen, frequently infected, or if they are disrupting your child's sleep.

Tonsils are usually small. But when they become infected and swollen, they become red and enlarged. Sometimes they can grow so large that they join together in the middle of the throat. When this happens, it can make it difficult for the child to breathe properly, especially at night when sleeping.

This sleep apnea condition prevents the child from sleeping well at night. Imagine, how can a child who doesn't sleep well at night perform at school the next day? He is always tired, irritable, misses schoolwork, has developmental problems, and can sometimes even develop heart disease and behavioral problems .

Let's look at these reasons in a table.

But remember, a doctor recommends this surgery after carefully considering all of this. Because every surgery has a small risk. According to surveys, about one in ten children may have a little difficulty breathing after the surgery, and about one in twenty may have a little bleeding. Therefore, a doctor will only recommend this surgery if it is absolutely necessary for the child .

How is tonsillectomy performed?

This is actually a very simple surgery. It usually takes about 30 minutes . Most children can go home the same day.

Before surgery

A few weeks before the surgery, your doctor will ask if you need to temporarily stop taking any medications. You will also need to stop eating and drinking completely a few hours before the surgery. Only clear liquids, such as water, can be given until your doctor tells you. Since this surgery is performed under anesthesia, it is essential that your stomach is empty. Otherwise, the surgery may need to be postponed to another day.

During surgery

After the child is anesthetized and put to sleep, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon opens the child's mouth and removes the tonsils (and possibly the adenoids). There are two methods:

1. Traditional Tonsillectomy: The tonsils are completely removed.

2. Intracapsular Tonsillectomy: A small protective layer of tonsil tissue is left.

The second method protects the throat muscles. The child also recovers faster, has less pain and bleeding after surgery , and can start eating and drinking sooner.

What to expect after surgery?

After the surgery, the child will be kept in a recovery room until they wake up from the anesthesia. Most of the time, they can go home the same day. However, very young children under the age of three may need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation.

It may take a week or two for the child to fully recover. During this time, the child can easily catch colds and other infections. Therefore, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly. Usually, you will need to take a week off from school and avoid running, jumping, or strenuous activities for two to three weeks .

Be aware of this when taking care of your child at home!

Although most children recover without any problems, you should be especially aware of the following symptoms. If you notice any of these , call your doctor immediately .

To help ease your child's sore throat after surgery and keep them comfortable, it is best to give them fluids (water, fruit juice) and soft foods such as porridge, yogurt, ice cream, and pudding .