Tonsillectomy (tonsillectomy) is a surgical procedure to lift tonsils. Not only with a scalpel, the removal of the tonsils in this operation can also be done by exposure to sound waves and laser energy.
The tonsils (tonsils) are two small glands located on the left and right sides of the throat, respectively. The tonsils function to prevent infection, although sometimes these organs are also infected.
Tonsillectomy or tonsillectomy is usually done to treat tonsillitis or tonsillitis and swelling of the tonsils. Keep in mind, removing the tonsils will not increase a person's risk of infection.
Indications for tonsillectomy
Doctors generally recommend tonsillectomy performed under the following conditions:
- Bleeding on the tonsils
- Inflammation of the tonsils that causes febrile seizures, has been going on for a long time (chronic), often recurs, and does not heal with antibiotics
- Bad breath due to tonsillitis that doesn't go away with medicine
- Swollen tonsils that cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), trouble breathing, sleep apnea, frequent snoring, as well as complications of heart and lung disease
- Peritonsillar abscess, which is a bacterial infection that causes a collection of pus (abscess) in the tonsils
- Enlarged tonsils suspected of being malignant or cancerous
Tonsil Surgery Warning
Before having tonsillitis surgery, tell your doctor which medications, herbal products, or supplements you are taking. The reason is, the use of certain drugs or supplements is feared to hamper the operation process.
In addition, there are some conditions that are not allowed to undergo tonsillectomy. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, please inform your doctor:
- Anemia
- Infection
- Allergy to anesthetics
- Blood clotting disorders
Before Tonsil Surgery
Before undergoing tonsillectomy, patients are advised to first consult with a doctor. In the consultation session, the doctor will ask what drugs are being used, especially aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.
The doctor will also ask if the patient or his family has a history of blood clotting disorders and a history of allergies to anesthetics or other drugs.
After the consultation session is over, the doctor will advise the patient to do the following:
- Reduce the dose of drugs or stop taking drugs for a while, a few days before surgery
- Asking family or friends to drive you home after the operation is over
- Fasting that starts from the night before the operation
Tonsil Surgery Procedure
The doctor will start the tonsil surgery by giving general anesthesia, so that the patient will fall asleep and feel no pain during the operation. After the anesthetic has worked, the doctor will open the patient's mouth to remove the tonsils.
Tonsil removal can be done using various techniques, including:
- Cutting the tonsils using a scalpel or also known as cold knife (steel) surgery
- Destroying tonsil tissue and stopping bleeding using heat energy or also known as electrocautery (diathermy)
- Crushing the tonsils using cold temperatures or also called coblation (radiofrequency ablation)
- Cutting the tonsils using laser energy and sound waves
The whole process of tonsillectomy takes about 20-30 minutes. After that, the patient will be taken to the recovery room.
After Tonsil Surgery
The doctor will monitor the patient's blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Patients are generally allowed to go home shortly after surgery. However, in some cases, patients have to be hospitalized until they are fully recovered.
Please note, it is normal for patients to experience a number of symptoms after surgery. These symptoms can last up to several weeks. The following are symptoms that patients can feel after undergoing tonsillectomy:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sore throat
- Pain in the ears, neck and jaw
- Sleep disturbances and fussiness (in pediatric patients)
- Swollen tongue
- Mild fever
- Bad breath
To relieve these symptoms, the doctor will advise the patient to do the following:
- Using drugs prescribed by a doctor
- Maintain body fluid levels by drinking lots of water, to avoid dehydration
- Eating foods that are easy to swallow, such as ice cream and puddings, and avoid sour, spicy, and hard-textured foods
- Undergo bed rest or bed rest and do not do strenuous activities until 2 weeks after surgery
Complications Tonsillectomy
Tonsil surgery is a safe operation. However, as with medical procedures in general, tonsil surgery still has the risk of causing complications. Some of the complications that can occur as a result of tonsillectomy are:
- Allergic reactions to anesthetics, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches
- Swelling of the tongue and the roof of the mouth that can cause breathing problems
- Bleeding during surgery or in recovery
- Damage to the teeth and jaw
- Sore throat
- Infection