Know What is Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy (tonsillectomy) is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. Not only with a scalpel, the removal of the tonsils in this operation can also be done by exposure to sound waves and laser energy

Tonsils (tonsils) are two small glands located on the left and right sides of the throat, respectively. The tonsils function to prevent infection, although sometimes this organ is also infected.

Tonsilectomy or tonsillectomy is usually done to treat tonsillitis or tonsillitis and swelling of the tonsils. Please note, removing the tonsils will not increase a person's risk of infection.

Indications for Tonsil Surgery

Doctors generally recommend that tonsillectomy be performed under the following conditions:

• Bleeding on the tonsils
• Inflammation of the tonsils that causes febrile seizures, has been going on for a long time (chronic), often recurs, and does not heal with antibiotics
• Bad breath due to tonsillitis that doesn't go away with medicine
• Swollen tonsils that cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), breathing problems, sleep apnea, frequent snoring, and complications of heart and lung disease
• Peritonsillar abscess, which is a bacterial infection that causes a collection of pus (abscess) in the tonsils
• Enlarged tonsils suspected of being malignant or cancerous

Tonile Surgery Warning

Before having tonsillectomy, tell your doctor what medications, herbal products, or supplements you are currently taking. This is because the use of certain drugs or supplements is feared to hinder the operation process.

In addition, there are some conditions that are not allowed to undergo tonsillectomy. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, please inform your doctor:

• Anemia
• Infection
• Allergy to drugs
• Blood clotting disorders

Before Tonsil Surgery

Before undergoing tonsillectomy, patients are advised to consult a doctor first. During the consultation session, the doctor will ask what medications are being used, especially aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

The doctor will also ask if the patient or his family has a history of blood clotting disorders and a history of allergies to anesthetics or other drugs.

After the consultation session is over, the doctor will advise the patient to do the following:

• Reducing the dose of drugs or stopping the consumption of drugs temporarily, a few days before surgery
• Ask family or friends to drive you home after the operation is over
• Fasting starting from the night before surgery

Tonsil Surgery Procedure

The doctor will start the tonsil surgery by giving general anesthesia, so that the patient will fall asleep and feel no pain during the operation. After the anesthetic works, the doctor will open the patient's mouth to remove the tonsils.

The removal of the tonsils can be done with various techniques, including:

• Cutting the tonsils using a scalpel or also called cold knife (steel) surgery
• Destroying tonsil tissue and stopping bleeding using heat energy or also called electrocautery (diathermy)
• Destroying the tonsils using cold temperatures or also known as coblation (radiofrequency ablation)
• Cut the tonsils using laser energy and sound waves

The whole process of tonsillectomy takes about 20-30 minutes. After that, the patient will be taken to the recovery room.

After Tonsil Surgery

The doctor will monitor the patient's blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Patients are generally allowed to go home shortly after surgery. However, in some cases, patients have to be hospitalized until they are fully recovered.

Please note, it is normal for patients to experience a number of symptoms after surgery. These symptoms can last up to several weeks. The following are the symptoms that patients can feel after undergoing tonsillectomy:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sore throat
• Pain in ear, neck and jaw
• sleep disturbances and fussiness (in pediatric patients)
• Swollen tongue
• Mild fever
• Bad breath

To relieve these symptoms, the doctor will advise the patient to do the following:

• Using drugs prescribed by the doctor
• Maintain body fluid levels by drinking lots of water, to avoid dehydration
• Eat foods that are easy to swallow, such as ice cream and pudding, and avoid sour, spicy, and hard-textured foods
• Going to bed rest or bed rest and not doing strenuous activities until 2 weeks after surgery

Complications of Tonsil Surgery

Tonile surgery is a safe operation. However, as with medical procedures in general, tonsil surgery still has the risk of causing complications. Some complications that can occur due to tonsillectomy are:

• Allergic reactions to anesthetics, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches
• Swelling of the tongue and roof of the mouth that can cause breathing problems
• Bleeding during surgery or while recovering
• Damage to teeth and jaw
• Sore throat
• Infection