Tonsillectomy

Tonsils are two small glands in the throat.
Their role is to fight off germs during early childhood. After around the age of three, the role of the tonsils decreases significantly, and they usually shrink.
The human body can still fight infections even without the tonsils.

Tonsils are mainly removed if they cause frequent tonsillitis.
Another common reason for tonsil removal is throat obstruction due to their size, which can cause breathing difficulties. In some cases, small children have such large tonsils that they struggle to breathe during sleep.
A peritonsillar abscess is a swelling near the tonsil caused by infection (tonsillitis). People who have suffered from this often opt for a tonsillectomy to prevent recurrence.
Tonsils are also removed if there is any suspicion of malignancy (cancer). This is usually suspected when there is a rapid increase in the tonsil’s size, ulceration, or bleeding. However, cancer in the tonsils is extremely rare.

Inform your ENT specialist if you have a cold or sore throat shortly before the surgery, as it may be better to postpone until you recover.
It is also very important to inform the surgeon if you have any bruising issues or a family history of blood disorders.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
The tonsils are removed through the mouth, and any bleeding is cauterized. The operation lasts about 30 minutes.

Usually, you will stay in the hospital for one night after the surgery. In some cases, the patient may go home the same day, depending on the circumstances.

Tonsillectomy is generally a safe procedure, but like all surgeries, it carries some minor risks.
The most common complication is bleeding. In general, about 2 out of 100 children experience this and need to return to the hospital, and 1 of these may require a second surgery to stop the bleeding.
For adults, about 5 in 100 experience bleeding that requires hospital care, but only 1 in 100 will need to return to surgery.

Some children may experience nausea and vomiting in the first few hours after surgery, but with proper medication, they recover quickly.
The throat will be sore for about 7 days.
Regular use of painkillers during this period is very important.
Avoid using aspirin, as it can increase the risk of bleeding.
It’s also important to maintain a normal daily diet and drink plenty of fluids. Chewing gum may help. Avoid spicy foods.
Another common issue is ear pain, which is normal and temporary. It occurs because certain nerves in the throat and ears are connected.
When you or your child look inside the mouth, the throat will be covered with a white layer—this is normal as the wound heals.

Adults and children usually need 10 to 14 days off from work or school. Rest at home is required, away from crowds and smoke-filled environments.