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Tonsillectomy
Tonsils are the tissues present at the back of the mouth and nasal cavity. They act as the first line of defense of the body and trap germs, like bacteria and viruses, thus reducing the risk of developing an infection.
However, in some cases, due to the excessive trapping of the germs, the tonsils may themselves get infected, known as tonsillitis, causing swelling and other symptoms. In severe cases, the doctor recommends the removal of the tonsils entirely.
Types:
Depending on the condition of the patient, tonsillectomy can be of the following two types:
A tonsillectomy may be recommended in the following cases:
- Chronic throat infection
- Obstructive sleep apnea (breathing disorder while sleeping)
- Loud and frequent snoring:
- Breathing problems
- Cancer that spreads to the tonsils
- Bad breath due to pus and debris accumulation in the tonsils
- Bleeding from tonsils
Symptoms:
The following symptoms may indicate a need to undergo tonsillectomy:
- Sore throat
- Change in voice
- Pain in the ears
- Cough
- Headache
- Fever
- Pain on swallowing
- Swollen glands in the neck
- White or yellow coating on the tonsils
- Bleeding from tonsils
- Physical examination: The doctor examines the throat, nose, and ears of the patient. The patient’s symptoms and medical history are also evaluated.
- Throat swab: The doctor will take a sample of the secretions present at the back of the throat by rubbing a sterile swab over it and this sample is then sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of bacteria.
- Blood tests: A complete blood cell count (CBC) helps in determining the cause of infection if the result of the throat swab test is negative.
- Polysomnography: This is a type of sleep study performed when tonsillectomy is being performed to treat obstructive sleep apnea, other types of airway obstructions, and certain other conditions.
There are several ways to perform a Tonsillectomy such as-
- Cold Steel Surgery in which a scalpel is used to remove the tonsils. This is the most standard approach of a Tonsillectomy.
- Electrocautery involves the burning of tonsillar tissue. This may also damage the surrounding tissue, causing pain and discomfort.
- Harmonic Scalpel surgery in which ultrasound energy is used to vibrate the blade very quickly. This procedure is effective due to the high precision in cutting of the damaged tonsil.
- Coblation uses ionized saline layer to damage the molecular bonds and hence, dissociates the tonsil. It is preferred over other treatments as it does not involve heat.
The side effects of tonsillectomy may include the following:
- Swelling in the throat or tongue area
- Pain in the throat area
- Pain in the jaw, neck, or ears
- Bad breath
- Sore throat
- Infection
- Allergic reaction to the anesthetic agent used
- Feeling of having something stuck in the throat
- Damage to the teeth
- Bleeding
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Breathing problems
- The patient usually goes home on the same day of the procedure.
- It is normal to have some throat pain, fatigue, bad breath, low-grade fever, hoarseness, and difficulty in speaking for one to five days after the surgery.
- It is normal to have scabbing and mild bleeding (till the scabs eventually fall off) for the first ten days after the surgery.
- Drink lots of fluids, and eat soft and cool foods for the first week after surgery.
- The patient can usually resume work ten days after the surgery. Complete recovery may however take about two weeks.
- Inform the doctor if you notice any signs of infection after the surgery.
Home remedies:
- Take pain-relieving medications as recommended by the doctor to get relief from throat pain.
- Eat a soft and cold food diet and drink lots of fluids during the recovery period.
- Avoid eating spicy, hot, hard, or crunchy food items.
- Avoid strenuous activities and traveling for two weeks of the surgery.
- Take plenty of rest for at least two days after the surgery.
Benefits:
A tonsillectomy has the following benefits:
- Lesser infections
- Better quality of sleep
- Improved quality of life
Cost of tonsillectomy in India-
The cost of a tonsillectomy in Mumbai is between INR 25,000 to INR 85,000.
The cost of a tonsillectomy in Delhi is between INR 20,000 to INR 75,000.
The cost of a tonsillectomy in Bangalore is between INR 20,000 to INR 75,000.
The cost of a tonsillectomy in Chennai is between INR 15,000 to INR 70,000.
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Tonsillectomy
Tonsils are the tissues present at the back of the mouth and nasal cavity. They act as the first line of defense of the body and trap germs, like bacteria and viruses, thus reducing the risk of developing an infection.
However, in some cases, due to the excessive trapping of the germs, the tonsils may themselves get infected, known as tonsillitis, causing swelling and other symptoms. In severe cases, the doctor recommends the removal of the tonsils entirely.
Types:
Depending on the condition of the patient, tonsillectomy can be of the following two types:
Complete tonsillectomy: It involves the removal of all of the tonsils.
Partial tonsillectomy: It involves the removal of a part of the tonsils.
Symptoms
A tonsillectomy may be recommended in the following cases:
- Chronic throat infection
- Obstructive sleep apnea (breathing disorder while sleeping)
- Loud and frequent snoring:
- Breathing problems
- Cancer that spreads to the tonsils
- Bad breath due to pus and debris accumulation in the tonsils
- Bleeding from tonsils
Symptoms:
The following symptoms may indicate a need to undergo tonsillectomy:
- Sore throat
- Change in voice
- Pain in the ears
- Cough
- Headache
- Fever
- Pain on swallowing
- Swollen glands in the neck
- White or yellow coating on the tonsils
- Bleeding from tonsils
Diagnosis
- Physical examination: The doctor examines the throat, nose, and ears of the patient. The patient’s symptoms and medical history are also evaluated.
- Throat swab: The doctor will take a sample of the secretions present at the back of the throat by rubbing a sterile swab over it and this sample is then sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of bacteria.
- Blood tests: A complete blood cell count (CBC) helps in determining the cause of infection if the result of the throat swab test is negative.
- Polysomnography: This is a type of sleep study performed when tonsillectomy is being performed to treat obstructive sleep apnea, other types of airway obstructions, and certain other conditions.
Treatment
There are several ways to perform a Tonsillectomy such as-
- Cold Steel Surgery in which a scalpel is used to remove the tonsils. This is the most standard approach of a Tonsillectomy.
- Electrocautery involves the burning of tonsillar tissue. This may also damage the surrounding tissue, causing pain and discomfort.
- Harmonic Scalpel surgery in which ultrasound energy is used to vibrate the blade very quickly. This procedure is effective due to the high precision in cutting of the damaged tonsil.
- Coblation uses ionized saline layer to damage the molecular bonds and hence, dissociates the tonsil. It is preferred over other treatments as it does not involve heat.
Risks
The side effects of tonsillectomy may include the following:
- Swelling in the throat or tongue area
- Pain in the throat area
- Pain in the jaw, neck, or ears
- Bad breath
- Sore throat
- Infection
- Allergic reaction to the anesthetic agent used
- Feeling of having something stuck in the throat
- Damage to the teeth
- Bleeding
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Breathing problems
After Procedure
- The patient usually goes home on the same day of the procedure.
- It is normal to have some throat pain, fatigue, bad breath, low-grade fever, hoarseness, and difficulty in speaking for one to five days after the surgery.
- It is normal to have scabbing and mild bleeding (till the scabs eventually fall off) for the first ten days after the surgery.
- Drink lots of fluids, and eat soft and cool foods for the first week after surgery.
- The patient can usually resume work ten days after the surgery. Complete recovery may however take about two weeks.
- Inform the doctor if you notice any signs of infection after the surgery.
Home remedies:
- Take pain-relieving medications as recommended by the doctor to get relief from throat pain.
- Eat a soft and cold food diet and drink lots of fluids during the recovery period.
- Avoid eating spicy, hot, hard, or crunchy food items.
- Avoid strenuous activities and traveling for two weeks of the surgery.
- Take plenty of rest for at least two days after the surgery.
Benefits:
A tonsillectomy has the following benefits:
- Lesser infections
- Better quality of sleep
- Improved quality of life
Cost of tonsillectomy in India-
The cost of a tonsillectomy in Mumbai is between INR 25,000 to INR 85,000.
The cost of a tonsillectomy in Delhi is between INR 20,000 to INR 75,000.
The cost of a tonsillectomy in Bangalore is between INR 20,000 to INR 75,000.
The cost of a tonsillectomy in Chennai is between INR 15,000 to INR 70,000.
FAQ Section
The tonsils are pads of tissue found on either side at the back of the throat. They vary in size and can become enlarged after an infection or with persistent inflammation such as with allergies or reflux and become a storehouse for bacteria, some of which can hide inside your tonsils even after taking antibiotics. The tonsils have a role in the immune system by identifying foreign invaders that are ingested or inhaled, but if they are chronically infected, they tend to do more harm than good. Removing them does not seem to negatively affect the immune system.
The most common reasons for surgical removal of the tonsils is persistent chronic infections, affecting breathing, sleeping or swallowing. Tonsil-related problems can lower a child’s quality of life and health and even their school performance.
The most common reasons for surgical removal of the tonsils is persistent chronic infections, affecting breathing, sleeping or swallowing. Tonsil-related problems can lower a child’s quality of life and health and even their school performance.
The ENT specialist will use a cautery pen or other instrument to remove the tonsils through the mouth. Frequently, an adenoidectomy procedure is performed during tonsillectomy and adds little time to the surgery, which takes between thirty and forty-five minutes in most patients. Whether or not the person will be able to go home the same day or will have to be observed overnight will depend on his age and other health conditions.
Tonsillectomy is a very safe surgery and the most common risk is poor drinking afterward which leads to dehydration and possible admission to the hospital. Bleeding is rare but can occur in one to four percent of cases. Bleeding tends to happen five to ten days after surgery when the scabs start to lift off the back of the throat. Other less common risks include chipped tooth, infection, scarring in the throat, a voice change, or breathing issues.
The procedure takes about 20 minutes to one hour to complete.
The surgery takes place under general anesthesia with a breathing tube.
Universally, children have a sore throat after a tonsillectomy. Often, prescription pain medicine is given after operation, and kids may need to take pain medicine for seven to fourteen days, although the first week is usually the worst. Unlike the past where there were dietary constraints requiring a soft diet, today kids can advance to a normal diet whenever they feel up to it, as long as they are drinking plenty of water to stay well hydrated.
ENT surgeon performs a tonsillectomy.
In India, on an average, the cost of tonsillectomy ranges from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 85,000.
A. Tonsils are the two lymph nodes present at the back of the throat. They are a part of the body’s immune system and defend the entry of harmful viruses and bacteria that lead to infection.
A. According to several studies, a tonsillectomy will not affect your immune system, rather it helps in improving the immune response and eliminating the infection
A. Tonsillectomy may have a mild effect on your voice during the recovery period due to a change in the dimensions and breathing space of the oropharynx. However, in the long term, there are no adverse effects on the voice or speech of the patient.
A. Yes, in people whose snoring is found to be associated with breathing difficulties due to enlarged tonsils, a tonsillectomy may prove to be effective in treating snoring. However, snoring that occurs as a result of a deviated nasal septum may need another procedure, known as a septoplasty, to eliminate snoring completely.
A. No, a tonsillectomy is performed under anesthesia and you will not experience any pain during the procedure. You may however experience some pain and discomfort after the surgery, which can be managed by taking adequate rest and pain medications.
A. A tonsillectomy may take anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes.
A. If not treated at the correct time, tonsillitis may turn into a serious condition. Frequent tonsillitis can cause difficulty in breathing and swallowing. It may also lead to sleeping disorders like sleep apnea and snoring.
If not treated, the infected tonsils can also cause abscess formation in the throat. It could also cause obesity and other heart problems over a prolonged time.