Tonsil Removal
One of the most common surgeries in the history of man is tonsil removal. Removing the tonsils is especially prevalent in children who suffer recurring tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is a condition where the tonsils become sore and inflamed.
In children, if this recurs often, it is very common to then have the tonsils and maybe the adenoids removed. Having the removal of the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy and is very common and rarely produces much in the way of side effects. Another problem with the tonsils that generally is rare and only happens in adults is tonsil stones. These are bits of calcium that form in the tonsil craters and calcify creating a stone like substance. Having a tonsil stone removal surgery is also not very invasive and rarely produces any long term side effects.
Scientists have discovered that as far back as 3,000 years ago people performed tonsillectomies. Tonsils have always been a problem for many people, especially children. Children’s tonsils seem to be more apt to become inflamed and irritated than adults. If a licensed physician feels that a child would be better off removing the oft-infected tonsils then they will schedule a tonsillectomy.
The actual tonsillectomy is a very quick procedure. It involves numbing, or sometimes giving general anesthesia, and then a sterile scalpel is used to cut the tonsils away from the tissue surrounding them. The actual tonsil removal can take as little as one to two minutes. Recovery is usually 24-48 hours of liquids and maybe ice cream. The majority of children and adults only experience some acute pain for the first day and then general soreness and redness for up to a week. Rarely does anything go wrong with this very common tonsil removal procedure.
When it comes to tonsil stone removal, usually done in adults, the process is a little lengthier but no more dangerous than a normal tonsillectomy. Tonsil stone removal is a necessity because of the bothersome effects of having a tonsil stone. These stones are calcified and made up of several elements including sulfur, calcium, and ammonia. Because of the chemical makeup of these stones they can cause severe bad breath, known as chronic halitosis.
These stones sometimes are not easily visible to the naked eye and can show up on an MRI or X Ray because of their metallic nature. For tonsil stone removal, a surgeon will go through the same prep procedures as a tonsillectomy procedure. After being numbed with a local, or given a general anesthetic, the patient will have the stones surgically cut out of the tonsil pockets. After the tonsil stone removal, the patient follows the same general recovery as someone that has had their tonsils removed. Liquids and ice cream tend to be the diet of choice for those who have had some kind of tonsil or stone removal.Tonsil removal and stone removal are common procedures that should not scare people. If you are having an issue with your throat and suspect that your tonsils are constantly inflamed and infected then you should consult with your family doctor. Tonsil removal is also very common in young children and also should not prove to be anything more than a routine procedure. After having their tonsils and stones removed, many people report that they healed up quickly and are glad that they had the procedure done.