Synonym
tonsillectomy
General information
If there are more than three to four tonsillitis cases per year (recurrent tonsillitis or chronic tonsillitis), the indication for removal of the palatal tonsils (tonsillectomy) can be given. It often occurs in combination with hyperplasia of the pharyngeal tonsils. With such an enlargement of the palatine tonsil, nowadays it is no longer the tonsil as a whole that is removed but only a part (tonsillotomy), resulting in a reduction of the palatine tonsil.
This is more advantageous in so far as the palatine tonsils still fulfill important defense functions in the context of the immune defense, especially in small children. This is also the reason why a complete removal of the palatine tonsils (tonsillectomy) in children under the age of four is only performed under the strictest indication. The tonsillectomy is usually performed under general anesthesia.
In this procedure, the tonsils are peeled from their capsules on both sides in an operation lasting about half an hour. The most frequent complication of the operation is postoperative bleeding. This can occur even several days after the operation, which is why children are admitted as in-patients before the operation and then monitored as in-patients for about a week.
Ice cream is often used for initial pain relief, especially in children. Painkillers are also helpful, but those that interfere with blood clotting, such as ASA (acetylsalicylic acid), should be avoided. Frequently used:
- Metamizole
- Diclofenac and
- Paracetamol
Disadvantages
The tonsils take over, particularly in the first six years of life, an important part of the immune defense in the human body. In doing so, they attack every substance that passes them and is found to be harmful. It is important here that the body has an immunological memory, so to speak.
So if the substance passes the tonsils again, this time it can be fought much more effectively and faster. From this it follows that a very early removal of the tonsils has its disadvantages. For this reason, a tonsillectomy is nowadays only recommended in exceptional cases in children who have not yet reached the age of six.
Since the tonsils recede naturally from the age of six, removal at this time is not a problem. There are several reasons for the removal of the tonsils. The most frequently mentioned is the reason for recurrent tonsillitis. Contrary to popular belief, however, inflammation of the throat can still occur despite the removal of the tonsils. Although the colonization of bacteria in this area is reduced by the removal, it cannot be ruled out, contrary to popular belief.
