Does Your Children Need Tonsillectomy?

Whether or not you still have your tonsils, you may be aware of how common tonsillectomies were in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Almost every child had their tonsils removed back then, and references to the procedure could be found in a variety of sitcoms and other popular media.

So you question whether your child really needs a tonsillectomy or an adenoidectomy when your pediatric ENT suggests it. However, unlike in the 1950s and 1960s, otolaryngologists no longer prescribe tonsillectomy if your child has had a few sore throats. Only after a thorough assessment and analysis of your child's medical history and present symptoms our professionals at OKOA, recommend surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids.

What Exactly Are Tonsils And Adenoids?

The tonsils are a pair of tiny lymph nodes located at the back of the throat. Their role is to eliminate toxins and bacteria from your body to reduce the risk of infection as part of the lymph system. Tonsillitis, on the other hand, is a disorder in which the tonsils get inflamed and produce recurrent sore throats. If left untreated, tonsillitis can lead to strep throat, which can lead to scarlet fever.

The adenoids are a pair of glands located in the back of the throat, just below the nose. The adenoids produce white blood cells, which assist your body fight illnesses. If your child gets a lot of sore throats, the adenoids will grow, making it difficult for him or her to breathe, especially at night.

Tonsillectomies are Recommended by Doctors for a Variety of Reasons

If your child has tonsillitis, it signifies that their tonsils are no longer functioning properly. Tonsillitis symptoms include reddened tonsils, a sore throat, a fever, a headache, and pain swallowing.

Tonsillitis can cause your child's tonsils to grow, making swallowing difficult and perhaps causing them to snore at night. According to pubmed.gov, whereas a single episode of tonsillitis used to be enough to warrant a tonsillectomy, doctors now look for other indications as well before recommending surgery for your child. If your kid has the following conditions, we propose tonsillectomy at OKOA:

  • Throat infections that are chronic (five or more throat infections in one year; four or more throat infections per year for two straight years, or three or more throat infections per year for three years in a row)

  • Enlarged tonsils that make breathing difficult or cause sleep apnea (a condition in which your child snores and stops breathing during sleep)

  • Abnormal growths on the tonsils, which could be a precursor to cancer and could be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

  • Tonsillectomy is also recommended by the American Academy of Family Practitioners (AAFP) if your child has:

  • Multiple antibiotic allergies or intolerance

  • PFAPA (i.e., periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis)

  • At least one peritonsillar abscess in the past (pus-filled pocket near the tonsils)

Why do doctors advise adenoidectomy?

Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by your child's adenoids growing too large (OSA). If your child suffers from OSA, they will stop breathing several times during the night. Apneas, or pauses in breathing, deprive your child's organs of vital activities, making them feel fatigued, irritated, and unrested throughout the day.

Tonsils and adenoids can become inflamed or swollen at the same time in children. Your pediatric ENT may propose removing both the tonsils and the adenoids in one operation in certain cases. Because the procedures are comparable and these two non-vital organs are close together, this is sometimes the best option.

Simple methods for bettering your child's health

No incisions are needed when our Birmingham specialists do tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies through your child's open mouth. Your youngster will breathe a soothing anesthetic through a face mask before the procedure to keep them comfortable and sleeping. Adenoidectomies and tonsillectomies are both extremely safe and low-risk surgeries. This study contains more information.

Contact the surgeons at OKOA now to see if a tonsillectomy could help your kid avoid recurrent sore throats and sleep apnea. Call or use our online message form to learn more.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of the patient-doctor relationship.

Guest User