What Is a Tonsillectomy?

The top of the throat and the rear of the mouth contain lymph nodes called tonsils. They aid in the removal of bacteria and other germs to stop infections in the body. Tonsillitis may result from a viral or bacterial infection, such as strep throat. The condition of having inflamed or infected tonsils is known as tonsillitis. A tonsillectomy is a procedure in which the tonsils are removed.

When Is It Recommended?

Since the tonsils are a person’s first line of defense against bacteria and viruses trying to enter the body through the mouth and nose, they are highly prone to infections. 
Tonsillectomy is a common procedure suggested for cases of chronic and recurring tonsillitis that are stubborn and unresponsive to medication. For an infection to be classified as chronic enough and for a tonsillectomy to be suggested, it must meet the following criteria:

• seven or more episodes over the previous year
• The previous two years have seen at least five episodes of tonsillitis per year
• The previous three years had at least three episodes of tonsillitis per year
• The decision to resort to a tonsillectomy is made when:
• Antibiotic therapy for a bacterial infection causing tonsillitis does not improve the condition
• There is a tonsillar abscess—an infection that causes a collection of pus behind a tonsil that doesn't get better with medication or a drainage procedure
• But apart from this, tonsillectomies are also performed to treat issues such as:
• One or both tonsils have cancerous tissue growth, or there is a suspicion of cancer
• Hemorrhage that occurs repeatedly from blood vessels close to the tonsils' surface
• Severe foul breath (halitosis) brought on by debris in the tonsil’s crevices
• Obstructive sleep apnea

What Are the Complications Arising From Infected or Inflamed Tonsils?

Numerous complications can arise when the tonsils are swollen. Although swollen tonsils sometimes cause no problems at all, in many other instances they may cause snoring and other sleep-related issues. A common issue is a partially blocked airway when you sleep, which can cause restless sleep, frequent awakenings, or even sleep apnea. Sometimes they might clog the throat and make it difficult to swallow food.

In children, tonsillectomies are one of the most frequently performed surgical interventions.

Although they used to be commonly prescribed for children with severe chronic viral and bacterial infections up to a decade ago, that is no longer the case as advanced non-surgical treatment options are now available. 

However, they are effective in treating obstructive apnea and other such issues in children even today.

For more information on tonsillitis and tonsillectomies, check out ENT Medical and Surgical Group. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with a medical expert for your child, please contact us today!