When is tonsillectomy necessary?

In most cases, tonsillectomy is performed under general anesthesia and is indicated when there are more than four episodes of acute tonsillitis per year, tonsillitis with abscess, pharyngeal stenosis, or difficulty breathing.

According to Dr. Le Tran Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, the tonsils are lymphoid tissues that produce IgG immunoglobulin antibodies, which play a crucial role in protecting the body against pathogens. In some cases, tonsil inflammation not only reduces immunity but also becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

According to Dr. Minh, tonsillitis is treated medically with antibiotics to fight infection. Tonsil removal surgery is indicated when:

- The patient has had more than 4 episodes of acute tonsillitis in a year.

- Tonsils that cause local complications such as tonsillitis with abscesses are indicated for removal after stable treatment and recovery from the abscess.

- Enlarged tonsils can narrow the throat, causing difficulty breathing and swallowing, especially in children.

- Cases involving tonsil tumors or tonsil cancer.

Without surgery, this patient could develop dangerous complications such as inflammation, abscesses around the tonsils, pharyngitis, laryngitis, etc. Patients with tonsillitis infected with hemolytic Streptococcus β can develop myocarditis, arthritis, kidney problems, autoimmune reactions, heart valve damage, middle ear infections, etc. Unsurgered purulent tonsillitis can cause bad breath. In children, recurrent tonsillitis is a cause of respiratory illnesses or other disorders such as anorexia, intellectual disability, and bedwetting.

Most tonsillectomy surgeries today are performed under general anesthesia. (Illustration: washingtonpost)

Most tonsillectomy surgeries today are performed under general anesthesia, with patients regaining consciousness approximately 15-20 minutes after the operation. Previously, due to a lack of general anesthesia, patients were only given local anesthesia and did not need to regain consciousness after surgery, but they experienced more pain during the procedure, especially those with poor mental health who were often very stressed. Both general anesthesia and local anesthesia can carry complications due to the patient's constitution, underlying medical conditions, allergies to anesthetics or local anesthesia, or issues with equipment and surgical techniques. Therefore, doctors need to carefully consider and assess these factors before performing the procedure.

Surgery is contraindicated in patients with poorly controlled systemic diseases such as coagulation disorders, hypertension, heart failure, etc., and in women who are menstruating or pregnant.Tonsillectomy using a plasma scalpel takes only about 5-7 minutes, is less painful, and results in less blood loss compared to the conventional method (which takes about 30 minutes).

After surgery, patients should drink cold milk on the first day. On the second day, they can eat thin porridge or soup; from day 3 to 7, they can eat soft, cool noodles, vermicelli, or rice noodles, avoiding spicy and hot seasonings. From day 7 to 10, they can eat soft rice or thick porridge, and after that, they can resume normal eating and drinking. They should take medication, attend follow-up appointments, and adhere to the rest schedule prescribed by their doctor.

Dr. Minh advises that to prevent tonsillitis and limit recurrence, it is necessary to keep the nose and throat warm, especially during seasonal changes and cold weather, limit direct exposure to polluted environments, avoid excessively hot or cold foods, and maintain good oral hygiene. Consult a specialist if you experience unusual symptoms such as a fever of 39-40 degrees Celsius, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, red, enlarged, and painful tonsils, discharge of mucus and pus from the tonsil cavities, or swelling of the uvula.

"The tonsils are tissues that produce antibodies to fight invading bacteria. If they are removed incorrectly or unnecessarily, it can weaken the immune system and harm the body," Dr. Minh explained. Depending on each case, the doctor will make specific considerations regarding the decision to perform surgery.

According to VNE