When medical therapy (antibiotics, steroids) fails to resolve the chronic tonsil infections that affect you or your child, tonsil surgery is a standard option. In other cases, enlarged tonsils may cause loud snoring, upper airway obstruction and other sleep disorders. The best course for both these conditions may be the removal/reduction of the tonsils and adenoids.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends that patients who have three or more tonsillar infections a year consider undergoing a tonsillectomy, and that patients with an obstructive sleep disorder be candidates for removal or reduction of the enlarged tonsils.
Tonsillectomy Today
The first report of tonsillectomy was made by the Roman surgeon Celsus in 30 AD. He described scraping the tonsils and tearing them out or picking them up with a hook and excising them with a scalpel. However, today, the surgery is much more minimally invasive. Our surgeons use the latest technology to shorten healing time and reduce postoperative pain.
Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation (Coblation)
Many of our providers use this method. This procedure uses heat energy transferred to tissue under water. It is done under general anesthesia in the operating room and can be used for enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids.
Electrocautery
Electrocautery gently cuts the tonsillar tissue while adding heat (cauterization), which results in an essentially bloodless procedure. Many of our providers use this method, as well. This also requires general anesthesia.
Cold Knife (Steel) Dissection
Removal of the tonsils with a scalpel is less common but is still practiced by otolaryngologists. In this technique, both tonsils are completely removed by dissecting in the tonsillar plane with minimal post-operative bleeding.
Traditional Tonsillectomy versus Intracapsular Tonsillectomy
Over the past several years, some surgeons have advocated intracapsular tonsillectomy for obstructive cases. This reduces the tonsils while still leaving a small portion of the tonsil in the throat. The advantages include decreased postoperative pain and a lower risk of bleeding.
Consult with your specialist regarding the best procedure to remove or reduce your tonsils and/or adenoids.