Tonsils are structures that protect the body against bacteria, viruses and other microbes that enter the mouth. However, in some cases, they can become infected and make themselves sick. Frequent recurrence of tonsil infection affects the general health of children negatively and may require tonsillectomy. Tonsil surgery, known in medicine as tonsillectomy, is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed. With tonsil surgery, complaints such as recurrent tonsillitis, snoring due to large tonsils and breathing difficulties are treated.
What is Tonsils?
People who have ailments related to their tonsils may often think of the answer to the question of what is the use of tonsils. The tonsils are oval-shaped, lymphoid tissues that are located on both sides of the throat and are part of the immune system. These lymphoid tissues help produce the cells that make up the body's immune system. Tonsils are the first line of defense that prevents the entry of various microbes such as bacteria and viruses into the body and therefore have an important place in the immune system. However, the role of the tonsils on the immune system is not vital. For this reason, if taken, it does not affect the immune resistance of the body at a high rate and does not affect people's lives.
In Which Situations Is Tonsil Surgery Performed?
Tonsil removal surgery is a surgical intervention that involves the removal of tonsils. It is generally applied in pediatric patients, in cases where there is no response to antibiotic and other drug treatments. Apart from children, tonsil surgery can be performed in adults as well. The tonsils house the white blood cells that the body fights against germs. However, in some cases, the tonsils themselves may become infected and become unable to function. The most important factor that will require tonsillectomy is the frequent inflammation of the tonsils. This condition most commonly causes swelling of the tonsils and sore throat. Inflammation of the tonsils can also cause fever and difficulty swallowing. Tonsillectomy can also be performed in cases of snoring and sleep apnea due to large tonsils, in addition to the treatment of tonsillitis. in general Conditions that require tonsillectomy are as follows:
- Frequently recurring tonsillitis
- Respiratory distress due to swelling of the tonsils
- Snoring frequently and loudly
- Breathing during sleep, in other words sleep apnea
- Bleeding of the tonsils
- Persistent bad breath caused by pus and debris in the tonsil area
- Tonsil cancer
- Other diseases of the tonsils
- Less sore throat
- Frequently not having to use antibiotics frequently
- No disruption in going to school or work
- Reduced situations that require going to the doctor
- Better general health condition
Which Procedures Are Performed Before Tonsil Surgery?
After the decision for tonsil surgery is made, the day of surgery is determined, and the patient and his relatives are informed about the operation. The surgeon who will perform the operation receives information about the drugs and supplements used by the patient, and may request that these drugs be discontinued a while before the operation, if necessary. Removal of the tonsils is performed under general anesthesia and covers an average of half an hour. After the operation, patients are usually discharged on the same day; however, if necessary, they may need to stay in the hospital for 1 night. Apart from these, some of the procedures that are generally applied before tonsillectomy are as follows:
- Discontinuation of drugs that are likely to increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery
- Ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort Not using herbs that can increase bleeding tendency, such as plants and food supplements containing these herbs, until about 2 weeks before surgery Questioning the history of allergy or sensitivity to the drugs administered
- Performing the necessary blood test and other tests before the surgery
How Tonsil Surgery Is Performed?
Several different surgeons during tonsil surgery ahi intervention can be applied. The most widely used method is cold knife dissection. In this method, the surgeon performing the operation removes the tonsils with a scalpel. Another surgical method is cauterization. This process means burning the tonsil tissues. Ultrasonic vibration, cold evaporation or laser can also be applied in some tonsillectomy procedures. All surgical methods applied during tonsil surgery proceed with the same principle and are completed in an average of 30-45 minutes. Regardless of the surgical technique applied during the operation, general anesthesia is preferred as a form of anesthesia. Under general anesthesia, patients are fully asleep and do not feel any pain during the operation. At the end of the surgery, the patients are taken to the wake-up rooms, where their blood pressure and heart rate are checked. After a successful tonsil operation, patients are usually discharged on the same day. After the removal of the tonsils, full recovery takes place within 2-3 weeks on average.
Risks of Tonsil Surgery
Tonsil surgery is a common surgical intervention and usually does not pose a risk. However, some undesirable situations that may occur in every surgery can be seen, albeit a little. In rare cases, some complications may develop during and after tonsil surgery. Some of the complications that can be seen after the surgery can be listed as follows:
- Swelling in the throat: There may be swelling of the palate and tongue within a few hours after the surgery, and this may make breathing difficult.
- Infection: Separated from the tonsil removal procedure. infection from the outside or the wounds in the throat catching germs before they can heal. One of the predisposing factors to this situation is that the patient does not use his throat enough after the operation, that is, he does not drink enough water and does not take food.
- Pain: Pain in the pharynx immediately after the operation. This is not actually a complication; It is an almost inevitable effect of surgery. This pain usually lasts for 7-10 days and then subsides within days.
- Dehydration: Sore throat and swelling after surgery can make it difficult to drink water. As a result, the body may lose more water than normal.
- Bleeding: During surgery, Bleeding in the area where the tonsils were removed immediately after e. Early bleeding is seen in the first 6 hours after surgery. Therefore, it is important to stay in the hospital in the hours following the surgery. Late bleeding is the 2nd-15th day following the surgery. can be seen in days. One of the most common reasons is the patient's avoidance of eating or drinking due to the pain in his throat.
What Should Be Considered After Tonsil Surgery?
There are some factors that should be considered in order to have a faster recovery time after tonsillectomy. The most important of these is a good rest for the first 3-4 days after the operation. Another factor is the relief of pain in the throat and pharynx, which is common after surgery. In addition, attention should be paid to the patient's nutrition. In hospitals, patients coming out of surgery are first fed with ice cream or cold milk desserts. In the following days after the operation, cold and liquid foods should be given to the patient again. Especially pediatric patients may refuse to drink water due to sore throat. In children who do not drink enough water, fever may occur, usually in the evening, due to lack of fluid. In order to prevent this, children should be provided with plenty of water to drink. Apart from water, patients should consume foods that are mostly liquid and have high nutritional value, such as soup, fruit purees, compote. Another point to be considered about nutrition is that spicy, hot and solid foods should be avoided in order to avoid irritation of the surgical site. Apart from these, it is considered normal to have ear pain about 4-5 days after the surgery. There may also be bad breath a few days after the surgery. In general, these effects disappear on their own after 7-10 days. In addition to all these, another point to be considered is the regular use of painkillers and other drugs recommended by the doctor who performed the surgery. For this, you can apply to a health institution and have the necessary examinations and analyzes done.
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