Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
What is Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy?
The surgical procedure to remove the tonsils is called tonsillectomy. Tonsils are two small glands present in the back of the mouth on each side of the throat. Usually, the adenoids are also removed along with the tonsils, which is called adenoidectomy. Adenoids are glands which are present above the soft palate of the mouth.
The tonsils and adenoids are a part of our immune system and they protect us from infections. However, in many children these glands can get inflamed and enlarged causing symptoms of illness. When they become a cause of frequent illness, the doctor may advise to undergo tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A). These procedures can be recommended for both children and adults.
Although tonsils and adenoids are part of the body’s infection-fighting (immune) system, they are not essential, and their removal does not cause any harm to the infection-fighting system of the body. Other parts of the infection-fighting system in the upper throat continue to function.
What Diagnoses are Treated with Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy?
Medical conditions such as tonsillitis and adenoiditis are the main reasons your doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedure.
Symptoms of tonsillitis may include:
Symptoms of tonsillitis may include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty swallowing
- Redness
Symptoms of adenoiditis are:
- Mouth breathing
- Noisy breathing
- Nasal speech
- Snoring
- Disturbed breathing at night
The decision to have tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy depends on the frequency, intensity and severity of the symptoms. The doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedure if the following symptoms are being caused due to tonsillitis and adenoiditis:
- Frequent infections; 7 incidents in the past year or at least 5 incidents per year for 2 years.
- Difficulty breathing even when awake
- Problems in swallowing
- Missing school or work due to infections
How do I prepare for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy surgery?
An ear, nose and throat surgeon (ENT) will properly brief you about what you need to do before you or your child’s surgery. They may recommend certain blood tests, take a medical history and do a physical exam. The surgeon will advise to halt taking drugs like aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen 10 days before the surgery because they can increase the risk of bleeding during the procedure. Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy are common procedures and are usually done on an outpatient basis. In the USA, around 530,000 Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy surgeries are performed every year in children younger than 15 years.
What is the recovery process for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy?
After the surgery, your child will be kept in Recovery for a few hours so that a nurse can monitor your child’s progress. Unless there are any complications, you can take your child home on the same day. Complete recovery after T&A may take about 1-2 weeks. During that time, your child will be advised to eat soft foods, drink a lot of fluids and take adequate rest.
Why choose Treasure Valley Hospital for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy?
Once you enter Treasure Valley Hospital you need not worry about the quality of patient care. We have a team of experienced and highly skilled clinical staff who have been caring for patients having tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures on a regular basis. At TVH, each patient receives the best care from the time of registration to surgery and postoperative care.