2020-02-19T07:02:24
TONSILLECTOMY - A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. -Tonsils are two small glands located in the back of your throat. -Tonsils house white blood cells to help you fight infection, but sometimes the tonsils themselves become infected. -Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils that can make your tonsils swell and give you a sore throat. -Frequent episodes of tonsillitis might be a reason you need to have a tonsillectomy. -Other symptoms of tonsillitis include fever, trouble swallowing, and swollen glands around neck, redness of throat, tonsils covered in a whitish or yellow coating. -Sometimes, the swelling can go away on its own. In some cases, antibiotics or a tonsillectomy might be necessary. -A tonsillectomy can also be a treatment for breathing problems, like heavy snoring and sleep apnea. -Tonsillectomy can also treat other medical problems, including: •breathing problems related to swollen tonsils •frequent and loud snoring •periods in which you stop breathing during sleep, or sleep apnea •bleeding of the tonsils •cancer of the tonsils Tonsillectomy procedure: -There are several different ways to remove tonsils. One common method is called “cold knife (steel) dissection.” In this case, your surgeon removes your tonsils with a scalpel. -Another common method for tonsillectomy involves burning away the tissues through a process called cauterization. Recovery time for a tonsillectomy is usually at least 10 days to two weeks.