Tonsillectomy

The tonsils are part of the immune system and serve as the body’s first line of defense against oral bacteria and viruses. The decrease in the function of the tonsils in the immune system after puberty is thought to be a factor that may be responsible for the rare occurrence of tonsillitis cases in adults.

In the past, tonsil surgery was a common practice in the treatment of recurrent tonsillitis. Today, in addition to this situation, tonsil structures that can cause respiratory disorders during sleep can be surgically removed.

Why Is Tonsil Surgery Performed?

Tonsil surgeries are often performed in cases of recurrent, that is, chronic or severe tonsillitis, and when the tonsils cause breathing difficulties due to enlarged tonsils.

When Is Tonsil Surgery Performed?

Tonsillitis, which is seen at least seven times in the previous year, at least five times a year in the last two years, or at least three times a year in the last three years, can be defined as tonsillitis requiring surgical intervention. In addition, in cases where a bacterial infection that causes tonsillitis does not resolve with antibiotic treatment, or in cases where an infection that causes an accumulation of inflammation behind the tonsils, that is, tonsil abscess, does not resolve with medication or a drainage procedure, the doctor may recommend performing tonsillectomy.

Tonsils may become enlarged or naturally large after frequent or persistent infections. The doctor may also recommend tonsillectomy to treat complications such as difficulty in breathing caused by the enlargement of the tonsils and interruption of breathing during sleep, that is, obstructive sleep apnea.

Doctors may also recommend tonsillectomy to treat other rarer diseases or complications, such as tumor tissue in one or both tonsils that is malignant or suspected to be malignant.

When tonsil surgery is performed to treat recurrent bacterial tonsillitis, it reduces the frequency and severity of sore throat and other bacterial infections. It has been observed that tonsil surgeries performed to treat viral tonsillitis are less beneficial.

What Are the Risks of Tonsil Surgery?

As with other surgical interventions, there are various risks in tonsil surgery. Medications to help the individual sleep during surgery often cause minor, short-term problems such as headaches, nausea, vomiting or muscle pain. Cases of serious, long-term problems are less common. Rarely, severe bleeding occurs during or after surgery and may require a longer hospital stay with additional treatment.

Preparation for Tonsil Surgery

Before the surgery, the doctor will talk with the patient and obtain information about their health history, while at the same time performing various examination procedures. In this process, the doctor will explain to the individual how to prepare himself or his child for tonsil surgery.

The information the doctor will want to obtain will likely include all medications regularly taken by the individual, including over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements, a personal or family reaction to anesthetic drugs, or a history of bleeding disorders and known allergies or other adverse reactions to drugs such as antibiotics. . In some cases, the doctor may ask the individual to stop taking certain medications or change their medication dose a few days before surgery. In addition, the individual should not eat anything after midnight before the planned surgery.

Various laboratory tests or blood samples may be required before surgery. If tonsil surgery is planned to treat obstructive sleep apnea, other airway obstructions and some other conditions, the doctor may also request a sleep study, namely polysomnography.