Removing Tonsils

Earlier, tonsillitis surgery was performed much more often, however, after it was found that tonsils perform a protective function in our body, doctors paid more attention to the medication treatment of the tonsils, and the operation is prescribed only in extreme cases. Nevertheless, tonsillectomy is still a common procedure. Let's look at the main indications and features of this operation.

Indications for conduction of tonsillectomy

Today, tonsillitis surgery is prescribed for chronic infections (with chronic tonsillitis), repeated tonsillitis and in the so-called "degeneration of tonsils" - a condition in which tonsils cease to perform a protective function and become the focus of infection. To assess the function of the tonsils, special tests are carried out. Among other indications for tonsillectomy, the development of abscesses against the background of tonsillitis and the appearance of complications of tonsillitis (from the heart, joints, kidneys and other organs).

Tonsillectomy is not recommended for children under 5 years of age, because until this age their immunity is not yet strong enough. In addition, tonsils prevent the occurrence of food allergies in children.

Contraindications for the removal of tonsils are blood diseases, severe heart and kidney disease, angina pectoris, diabetes, some other diseases and pregnancy.

Types of tonsillectomy

There are several ways to perform tonsillectomy, among which:

• Excision of tonsils with a wire loop (classical tonsillectomy)
• Ultrasonography of the tonsils
• Electrocoagulation (removal of tonsils by exposure to them by electric current)
• Removing tonsils with an infrared or carbon laser
• Removal of the tonsils by radio-frequency exposure

Also, a complete and partial removal of the tonsils is performed . The advantage of partial removal is that it is possible to save their functions.

After tonsillectomy

Removal of the tonsils can lead to some complications, including bleeding, the spread of infection to the lymph nodes. Long-term negative consequences of tonsillectomy include weakening of the body's protective function (on the tonsils settles about 70% of the microbes that enter the body with air, so people without tonsils are more susceptible to diseases of the upper respiratory tract).

Within a day after the operation, the patient's reactions may be somewhat inhibited due to the action of anesthesia. Therefore, it is not advisable for patients to drive alone, instead, ask someone from friends or relatives to take you home.

Recovery after tonsillectomy usually requires three to five days. Immediately after surgery, patients experience painful sensations in the throat, and it is also difficult to move the jaw. Sometimes there is a pain in the ears. For relief of discomfort after surgery, anesthetics are prescribed. Also, after the removal of the tonsils, a cold compress is applied to the patient's neck. This is done to narrow the blood vessels and prevent bleeding. In addition, to prevent infection, antibiotics are prescribed.

As for nutrition, on the first day after the operation it is allowed to drink a little water, for the next few days the patient can eat liquid or grated cold food (most often the first meal after the procedure is ice cream). Nevertheless, there is a solid food you need to start as soon as possible after the removal of the tonsils, as this will contribute to an early recovery.