Tonsillitis is one of the most performed operations in the world regardless of age group. Tonsils swell if inflamed, which causes the patient to have trouble eating or even breathing. This swelling can heal spontaneously or with medication. Otherwise, tonsil surgery is recommended by the physician. With tonsillectomy, the patient gets comfort in many ways.
With the weakening of the immune system in winter, our body struggles to fight against bacteria and viruses. Therefore, inevitably an increase in tonsil symptoms is observed. Patients who experience tonsillitis as a result of various infections and colds get rid of their discomfort thanks to tonsillectomy.
What is Tonsils?
Tonsils are anatomically located at the back of the tongue root. It is medically called tonsil. The task of tonsils is to collect germs that enter the body. Especially in early childhood, their task is large, although they help the immune system in adults, their function decreases. This causes tonsillitis to be more common in children. It occurs frequently, especially between the ages of 4 and 5.
Tonsils support the immune system by producing antibodies and lymphocytes. The tonsils located on both sides of the tongue root are located in the upper ingest, also known as the nasal region. Patients with tonsillitis have symptoms of sore throat, fever, pain on the sides of the neck, bad breath, yellow or white spots that can be observed in the tonsils, as well as signs of weakness and fatigue.
Which Area Is Tonsil Looking At?
Since the tonsil is located in the nasal region, it is of interest to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) section. Those suffering from tonsillitis and swelling should consult the ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists of hospitals. In some cases, sore throat is caused by ear problems. Therefore, the ear, nose and throat specialist is capable of diagnosing and subsequently treating the patient.
The physician first takes the medical history of the patient, then performs his physical examination. After the necessary tests and tests are carried out, the physician decides whether to seek help from other departments. Tonsillitis (tonsillectomy) is recommended to the patient if the treatment methods do not work. It should be remembered that not every sore throat has tonsillitis.
What is Tonsillectomy?
Tonsillitis (tonsillectomy) is performed in cases where the tonsils become inflamed. Especially in patients whose tonsils swell frequently, tonsils should be removed because they are no longer able to perform their duties. In the following cases, the doctor deems tonsil surgery necessary:
- Frequent recurrence of sore throat and inflammation
- Tonsils create difficulty swallowing and swallowing
- In cases where the tonsils have grown to such a extent that they prevent breathing
- When tonsillitis progresses, leading to disorders such as sinusitis and middle ear inflammation
- When the patient snore loudly and frequently (in sleep apnea)
- Tonsil cancer
Tonsillitis is more common in pediatric patients. It requires surgery for the patient to suffer from tonsillitis at least 6 – 7 times in the last 1 year. Contrary to popular belief, patients who have tonsils removed do not get sick more quickly. Tonsils in the body are only an element of the immune system. Even without them, the body can successfully perform its function as a defense mechanism.
Tonsil surgery is an extremely common and routine surgery. However, as with any operation, it involves some risks of complications. The risks of tonsil surgery include infection, bleeding, swelling and anesthetic reaction sweating. With the removal of tonsils, mild pain may occur in the following days. This pain is felt in the neck, jaw or ears. Therefore, the patient should rest a lot and pay attention to his nutrition, depending on the advice of the physician.
How to Perform Tonsillectomy?
Tonsil surgery (tonsillectomy) is performed by general anesthesia of the patient. The procedure should be carried out in a sterile operating room. The ear, nose and throat surgeon works with the anesthesiologist. The operation time is approximately 30 minutes. However, this period can be up to 1.5 hours when general anesthesia applications and patient's sedation & soot are added. Tonsils are removed from inside the mouth. There is no need to cut the skin.
The tonsils are cut out by the surgeon. Meanwhile, the bleeding is stopped. During tonsillectomy, a large number of instruments such as thermal welding, bisturi, radio frequency and cautery are used. Thermal welding, developed due to the developing technology, has a great effect on the control of the operation using the heat energy of the physician. It also accelerates the healing of the tissue after surgery.
Tonsil Surgery (Tonsillectomy)
Sore throat, viral infections (colds, flu, measles, chickenpox, croup, herpangina, mono nücleosis, etc.), bacterial infections, infections in the sinus or nasal passageways, allergies (mold, dust, pollen, etc.), reflux, laryngitis, intubation, dry air, surgical operations (thyroidectomy-like surgeries can cause sore throats) and cancer. Tonsillitis is one of these causes.
Before tonsillitis, the patient should stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs at least two weeks ago. These drugs include ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. Anti-inflammatory drugs dilute the blood and increase the risk of bleeding during and after the operation. At the same time, if the patient regularly uses other drugs or vitamins, he should report them to the doctor. Before the operation, the patient should not eat or drink anything for 24 hours.
The patient's starvation will also reduce the risk of his stomach being infected by anesthesia. After tonsillectomy, it is better to take the patient home by a relative. However, after tonsil surgery, the patient recovers quickly. Return to school or work life can be made by physician decision within 5 to 14 days. In the first days, the patient should not tire and force himself when talking.
What are the Advantages of Tonsillectomy?
Tonsillitis (tonsillectomy) is applied to cases that experience constant throat inflammation or are of a strong size to eat and breathe. The patient's chronic coping with these problems reduces the quality of life as well as badly affects their health. Decreased body immunity leads to other diseases. Tonsil swelling brings with it an extremely painful process.
When all this is examined, the performing of tonsil surgery greatly increases the comfort of the patient by solving a large number of problems. In some cases, the surgeon performs tonsillectomy to end sleep apnea. In this way, the patient is freed from problems such as breathing and snoring in his sleep. Thanks to tonsil surgery, the patient's comfort of life increases significantly.
Process After Tonsillectomy
After tonsillitis, the patient is kept in the room until he wakes up completely. If there are signs of bleeding or breathing difficulties, it may need to be operated again. Mostly, patients are discharged after spending the first 24 hours in the hospital. For patients under the age of 3, those who cannot get enough liquid food, those with chronic diseases or who have fainting seizures, this period may increase with the decision of a physician.
Only liquid foods are taken on the day of operation and the following day. Fluid intake may begin about 2 hours after surgery. In the following days, softened foods such as mashed potatoes, pasta, rice are switched. After 2 weeks, the patient becomes able to eat hard foods such as biscuits, bread edges and chips. The diet may vary depending on the physician's decision. Showers can be taken on the condition that it is not long the day after surgery and that too hot or cold water is not used.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tonsillectomy/about/pac-20395141
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