Surgery for Removing Tonsils in Children

Surgery for the removal of tonsils in children

Surgical tonsillectomy (an operation to remove the tonsils) is a relatively common operation, but now it is not practiced as often as before. For parents of small children it is important to understand the role of these small growths (tonsils, palatine tonsils, tonsils) in the health of the child.

What are tonsils?

Tonsils are small organs located in the lower part of the throat at the base of the tongue on both sides of the sky (toward the top of the throat). Tonsils protect against infections (with the infection of the tonsils produce protective antibodies). Therefore, the tonsils, even if they are not directly affected, increase in size, when the child becomes ill, and perform the role of immunological protection in the subsequent re-infection.

Why sometimes you need to remove the tonsils

At the same time, tonsils are a source of some problems. They are a hotbed of severe sore throat and sore throat in children (often recurring). Currently, many ENT doctors are not inclined to remove tonsils, however, frequent repetition of angina for many years may require the removal of tonsils. If the tonsils are very large and connect with each other in the back of the throat, they can cause snoring and sleep disturbances.

Effects of tonsillitis surgery

After the removal of the tonsils, the child may experience severe pain, which does not allow him to normally take regular food after the operation. At least within a week is not recommended to give the child hot food, because his throat still remains extremely sensitive. It is best to feed the child at this time with ice cream, soups, mashed potatoes. In adults, the recovery time is longer than in children (on average - two weeks).

It is necessary to constantly monitor the child's doctor at the throat during the entire recovery time. There are cases when after the operation a scab (usually 15 days after the operation) is formed. Potentially dangerous bleeding may also occur. In the presence of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor.

Tonsils perform some useful functions, are an important component of protection, but they are not essential for the immune system as a whole. In the ENT area, there are many other protective means (for example, lymph nodes) and parents should not be afraid of recurrent infections in children who have had tonsils removed.

Therefore, it is necessary to carefully weigh all the pros and cons, take into account the opinion of the doctor before deciding on the operation of tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils) to the child.