Tonsils are defense organs that are located bilaterally in the mouth and function locally. Their function is to produce local defense cells that target oral microbes. While performing these functions, they grow larger than normal and if they are infected frequently, they begin to harm the body instead of defense. Especially if these infections progress too far, they can infect various places such as kidneys, heart, joints and cause more severe and irreversible damage. Removing the tonsils is the best treatment for chronic infections that have reached this state.   

Content

• What is the Age Limit for Tonsil Surgery?
• How Long Does the Operation Take, Is Anesthesia Administered?
• Are Stitches Used?
• Which Method Is Used in the Surgery?
• What is the Thermal Welding Method?
• How Long is the Recovery Period? How long is the Hospital Stay?
• How Should Diet be After Surgery?
• Will There Be Bleeding After Tonsil Surgery?
• Does Removal of Tonsils Weaken Body Defense?
• When Should Tonsils be Removed?

What is the Age Limit for Tonsil Surgery?

Generally, we do not want to do this surgery before the age of 4, except for some special cases. If there are large tonsils that cause respiratory arrest during sleep and completely close the throat entrance, and tonsils that cause infection at least 5-6 times a year, we perform this surgery before the age of 4 years.

How Long Does the Operation Take, Is Anesthesia Administered?

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 20 minutes. Sedative syrup is administered before the child is taken into the operating room. Afterwards, anesthesia is administered, followed by the surgical operation.

Are Stitches Used?

The surgery is performed through the mouth and no stitches are used.

Which Method Is Used in the Surgery?

The most widely preferred method for tonsil surgery in recent years is surgeries performed with thermal welding.

What is the Thermal Welding Method?

It is a method that has been used frequently in recent years and is performed with a tool with special tips that allows the tonsils to be removed without bleeding and without burning during the operation. The most important advantages of this method are that it causes very little pain, no bleeding and requires no stitches.

How Long is the Recovery Period? How long is the Hospital Stay?

After the surgery, hospital stay is about 5 hours. In operations performed in the morning, the patient is discharged in the afternoon. The patient can go back to their normal life the day after their operation.

How Should Diet be After Surgery?

Feeding can start 2 hours after the operation. Foods of soft consistency are given. Puree, warm soup, vegetable dishes, fruit puree, custard and ice cream are preferred. For 1 week, attention should be paid to consume soft foods.

Will There Be Bleeding After Tonsil Surgery?

Postoperative bleeding is almost negligible, especially in operations performed with thermal welding.

Does Removal of Tonsils Weaken Body Defense?

There is no evidence that removing the tonsils weakens the body's defenses. Lonphoids, which act as a defense in the throat and upper respiratory tract, undertake this task.

When Should Tonsils be Removed?

• Child has had tonsillitis multiple times in a row in the last two years
• Abscess formation around the tonsils
• Child has sleep apnea
• Tonsil enlargement
• Diseases such as tumors and tuberculosis in the tonsils