Tonsillectomy
What is Tonsillectomy?
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Why do you need Tonsillectomy?
Tonsillectomy is indicated for:
- Recurrent tonsillitis:
- Frequent infections (e.g., 7 episodes in 1 year, 5/year for 2 years, or 3/year for 3 years).
- Symptoms: Sore throat, fever, difficulty swallowing, or abscess (peritonsillar abscess).
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA):
- Enlarged tonsils causing airway obstruction, snoring, or sleep disturbances (common in children).
- Other indications:
- Tonsil stones (tonsilloliths) causing bad breath or discomfort.
- Suspected malignancy (rare, e.g., lymphoma in asymmetric tonsils).
- Associated procedures:
- Often combined with adenoidectomy (adenotonsillectomy) in children, as noted in your earlier query.
The procedure aims to eliminate infections, improve breathing, and enhance quality of life by removing the tonsils, which can become a source of chronic issues when enlarged or infected.
Why Do Tonsillectomy Costs Vary in Philippines?
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Tonsillectomy Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- Throat exam: Visualizes tonsil size, signs of infection, or asymmetry.
- Sleep study (if OSA): Confirms airway obstruction.
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile (e.g., PT/INR).
- Medications: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe.
- Consent: Risks, including bleeding, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Tonsillectomy:
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 30–45 minutes.
- Approach: Through the mouth (no external incisions).
- Tonsil removal:
- Cold steel dissection: Tonsils removed with scalpel/scissors; bleeding controlled with sutures or cautery (traditional method).
- Electrocautery: Uses heat to remove tonsils and control bleeding (common).
- Coblation: Uses radiofrequency energy for precise removal with less thermal damage (used in advanced centers).
- Bleeding: Controlled with cautery or hemostatic agents; no stitches typically required.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Mouth gag: Keeps mouth open during surgery.
- Electrocautery/coblation device: Removes tonsils and controls bleeding.
- Suction: Clears blood and debris.
- Tonsillectomy:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: Same-day discharge or 1 day.
- Care: Hydration (e.g., water, ice pops); soft diet (e.g., mashed food) for 7–10 days.
- Pain management: Moderate throat pain for 5–10 days; managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Instructions: Avoid spicy/hard foods for 2 weeks; no strenuous activity for 2 weeks.
Recovery After Tonsillectomy
- Hospital Stay: Same-day discharge or 1 day.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain: Moderate throat pain for 5–10 days, peaking at days 3–5; managed with medication.
- Diet: Liquids (e.g., water, juice) for 1–2 days, then soft foods (e.g., yogurt, porridge) for 7–10 days; avoid spicy or hot foods.
- Activity: Rest for 2–3 days; avoid sports or heavy activity for 2 weeks.
- Bleeding: Minor blood-tinged saliva for 1–3 days; risk of delayed bleeding at 5–10 days (when scabs fall off).
- Voice: Temporary change (nasal tone) for 1–2 weeks; resolves as swelling subsides.
- Follow-Up:
- Visit at 1 week to check healing; additional visit at 1 month if needed.
- Throat exam: At 1 month to confirm healing.
Most resume normal activities in 7–10 days; full recovery takes 2–3 weeks. Success rate: 90–95% achieve symptom relief (e.g., reduced infections, improved breathing); OSA improvement in 80–90% of children.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (2–5%): Minor bleeding common; severe bleeding (1–2%) may need return to operating room (esp. days 5–10).
- Infection (1–2%): Throat infection; treated with antibiotics.
- Anesthesia risks (<1%): Reaction to general anesthesia; rare in healthy patients.
- Post-Surgery:
- Pain (common): Throat pain, ear pain (referred); managed with medication.
- Dehydration (2–5%): Due to pain limiting fluid intake; needs IV fluids if severe.
- Voice change (1–2%): Temporary; rarely permanent if vocal cords affected.
- Tonsil regrowth (<1%): Rare; may need repeat surgery.
- Long-Term:
- No significant long-term risks; tonsils are not critical for immunity after early childhood.
Report heavy bleeding, fever, severe pain, or dehydration (e.g., dry mouth, lethargy) promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes tonsil issues?
Recurrent bacterial/viral infections (e.g., Streptococcus), enlarged tonsils, or tonsil stones; common in children.
Can I avoid tonsillectomy?
Yes, if mild: Antibiotics, pain relief, or watchful waiting; surgery is for recurrent infections or OSA.
Is tonsillectomy painful?
Moderate throat pain for 5–10 days, managed with medication; improves in 1–2 weeks.
How soon can I resume activities?
Normal activities: 7–10 days; full recovery: 2–3 weeks; avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks.
Is tonsillectomy covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for medical necessity; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Heavy bleeding, fever, severe pain, or dehydration.
Will my child’s snoring stop after surgery?
80–90% of children with OSA see improvement; persistent snoring may indicate other issues (e.g., allergies).
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Soft diet for 7–10 days, avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks, stay hydrated, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
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Looking for Best Hospitals for Tonsillectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
We do not promote any hospitals. All details are sourced from Google and hospital websites. Please verify independently. Start with your surgery—here’s the list of government, budget, and superspecialty hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₱) | Maximum Price (₱) |
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Angeles City |
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Antipolo |
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Bacolod |
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Bacoor |
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Baguio |
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Butuan |
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Cagayan de Oro |
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Caloocan |
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Cebu City |
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Dasmariñas |
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Davao City |
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General Santos |
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General Trias |
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Iligan |
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Iloilo City |
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Las Piñas |
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Makati |
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Malolos |
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Manila |
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Muntinlupa |
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Parañaque |
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Pasay |
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Pasig |
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Puerto Princesa |
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Quezon City |
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San Fernando |
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San Jose del Monte |
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Taguig |
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Valenzuela |
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Zamboanga City |
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Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.