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What is Tonsillectomy?

Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove inflamed tonsils. Inflammation or swelling in the tonsils occurs due to tonsillitis. Tonsillitis occurs as a result of several bacterial and viral infections. Tonsillectomy offers relief from frequent sore throats, sleep apnea, throat infections, etc. Our ENT surgeons perform tonsillectomy as a daycare surgery that allows the patients to go home on the same day of the surgery after consulting the doctor. The procedure can be done for both children as well as adults based on their medical condition.

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  • Throat culture
  • Complete blood cell count (CBC)
  • Swab tests to determine the type of infection.
Tonsillectomy is considered an advanced surgical procedure to remove swollen or enlarged tonsils. Before the surgery, the anesthesiologist gives anesthesia to the patient. This allows a painless experience throughout the procedure. The surgeon uses a medical instrument that keeps the mouth open. Long, flexible equipment called an endoscope is inserted inside the mouth that guides the surgeon. The device is fitted with a camera and light on the other end that enables the surgeon to locate the infection or swelling in the tonsils. The surgeon then ablates the tonsils using a blade (scalpel), cold knife, etc., along with a high-energy heat device to minimize bleeding. This ensures faster recovery and minimal post-operative bleeding.
  • Nausea
  • Swelling around the throat
  • Severe pain around the site of the incision including ears, jaw, or neck.
  • Persistent fever that may last for a few days.
  • Reaction to anesthesia.
  • Bad breath for a few weeks
  • A feeling of something being is stuck in the throat
  • Abnormal bleeding
  • Post-surgery infection
  • Breathing problems
  • Signs of dehydration
  • Take prescribed medications as directed by the physician or your ENT doctor to reduce discomfort and pain.
  • Drink excess fluids and water to stay hydrated.
  • Eat foods that are easy to swallow. Foods with hard edges must be avoided. Moreover, ice creams, puddings, soups can be encouraged for a smooth recovery.
  • Take adequate rest for the first few days after the surgery. Avoid any strenuous activities such as sports and gym to avoid injury. You can return to work after consulting with the doctor and resume your daily lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Question

Tonsillectomy is necessary when the enlarged tonsils cause serious symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, recurrent sore throat, etc. People who suffer from sleep apnea, loud snoring, etc. also benefit from tonsillectomy.

No, tonsillectomy does not cause pain. The patient is given local or general anesthesia. This means the patient is usually asleep throughout the procedure and does not experience pain. However, there may be a little discomfort or pain around the surgical site when the effect of anesthesia wears off.
Tonsillectomy generally takes 1 hour to 1.5 hours, depending on the surgical technique, medical condition of the patient, and the surgical experience of the ENT surgeon.
Yes, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy can be performed together if the doctor suspects inflamed adenoids also. Both the surgeries together are referred to as T&A. T&A is only recommended when the patient is suffering from recurrent throat infections, difficulty swallowing, tonsillitis, and adenoiditis which are immune to the medications.
The average success rate of tonsillectomy is well above 90%. However, several factors govern the success rate of tonsillectomy, such as:
  • Surgical expertise of the ENT surgeon
  • Medical health of the patient.
  • The severity of the inflammation in the tonsils.
Here are some of the advantages of tonsillectomy -
  • Chances of throat infections are almost reduced to nil.
  • Improves quality of sleep by resolving sleep apnea
  • Reduces the difficulty swallowing
  • Improves scratchy or muffled voice caused due to tonsillitis
  • Reduces the severity of bad breath, which can be a result of tonsillitis
Here are some of the food that can be encouraged after tonsillectomy -
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Mashed bananas
  • Low fat ice cream
  • Soups
  • Yogurt
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Smoothies
  • Jello-O and pudding
Consider the following factors while choosing the best hospital for Tonsillectomy -
  • Patient reviews
  • Facility and infrastructure
  • Availability of machines for diagnostic tests
  • Location of the hospital (should be nearby)
  • Following proper COVID protocols
  • Availability of the ENT surgeon on the day of surgery
  • Experience of the ENT specialist
  • Number of Tonsillectomy surgeries done by the ENT specialist in the hospital
  • Track record of the hospital in conducting successful surgeries
The cost of tonsillectomy in India can vary based on the city and location. It also depends on the medical health of the patient and the availability of surgical techniques. The cost of tonsillectomy in India usually starts from Rs. 30,000. However, the overall cost of the surgery can vary depending on several factors and location.
Several factors that can affect the cost of Tonsillectomy in india are -
  • Location (city)
  • Selection of the healthcare facility
  • Cost of diagnostic tests
  • Consultation fee of the ENT doctor
  • Expertise of the ENT surgeon
  • Hospital stay (if required)
  • Cost of anesthesiologist
  • Cost of medications
  • Post-consultation charges
  • Insurance coverage

What are the different surgical techniques used by the ENT surgeon during the tonsillectomy?

  1. Coblation tonsillectomy – The surgeon removes the inflamed tonsils by destroying the surrounding tissues that attach them to the pharynx. The surgeon uses low radio frequency during the operation, which is usually less painful than the conventional tonsillectomy that involves surgical tools. 
  2. Cold knife dissection – As the name suggests, the surgeon ablates the swollen tonsils using a steel scalpel that detaches them from the pharynx. There is no pain involved since the patient is under anesthesia. Excessive bleeding is prevented by using sutures or extreme heat (electrocautery) after the surgery. 
  3. Electrocautery or Cauterization – This technique uses heat treatment to remove the infected tonsils by simply burning away the tissues through cauterization. The procedure ensures minimal bleeding due to heat treatment. 
  4. Harmonic scalpel – This method uses ultrasonic vibration to remove inflamed tonsils and stop bleeding at the same time. 
  5. Radiofrequency – This method ablates the tonsils using a carbon dioxide laser or/and microdebrider.

Do’s and don’ts after the tonsillectomy. 

Do’s after the tonsillectomy:

  • Take pain relievers and other medicines as directed by the ENT doctor
  • Place a bag of ice on the neck to reduce swelling or pain after the procedure.
  • Encourage liquid diet or soft foods like gelatin, ice cream, and mashed potatoes
  • Use a cool humidifier to soothe your throat

Don’ts after the tonsillectomy:

  • Don’t stay close to people with a cold, sore throat, and infections that are contagious. 
  • Don’t drink orange juice and grapefruit
  • Do not eat hot and spicy foods
  • Do not gargle or brush your teeth tooth harshly
  • Do not cough, sneeze, or blow your nose

How to prepare for Tonsillectomy surgery? 

Some of the pre-surgery instructions or tips before tonsillectomy are as follows – 

  • Inform your doctor of any medical conditions or ongoing medications to avoid any complications during the surgery.
  • Do not smoke or consume alcohol before surgery as it may affect the surgical procedure as well as the recovery period.
  • You will be advised to not eat or drink 9 hours prior to the surgery. This can affect the anesthesia. The doctor usually recommends skipping dinner before the day of the surgery.
  • You may have to remove your jewelry or nose piercings before going to the hospital for a tonsillectomy.

Questions to ask your ENT doctor before tonsillectomy

  • Are there any alternative treatment options for tonsillitis apart from the surgery? 
  • What can I expect after my tonsil removal?
  • Is it safe for my kid to undergo a tonsillectomy?
  • What are the complications of tonsillectomy?
  • My child is frequently getting tonsillitis. Should I be concerned?
  • When can my child resume school and daily activities after tonsillectomy?
  • I am undergoing treatment for another medical condition. Is it okay to undergo a tonsillectomy at the same time?

Book an appointment for your tonsillectomy with the top ENT specialist today!

You can fill out the appointment form on our website with your details. Our staff will get in touch with you at the earliest and gather necessary inputs from your end. An appointment will be fixed with the consecutive ENT specialist according to your schedule, and a nominal consultation fee will be charged. 

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