Tonsils are removed through a surgical procedure called a tonsillectomy, usually performed under general anesthesia so the patient is asleep and feels no pain. The tonsils are accessed through the mouth, so no external cuts or stitches on the skin are needed. There are several common methods for removing the tonsils:
- Traditional dissection: The surgeon uses surgical instruments like a scalpel or scissors to carefully cut out the tonsils. Pressure, dissolvable stitches, or heat may be applied to stop bleeding.
- Electrocautery or diathermy: Heat generated by electrical currents is used to remove the tonsil tissue and cauterize the area to minimize bleeding.
- Coblation: This uses radiofrequency energy combined with saline to create plasma that dissolves the tonsil tissue at relatively low temperatures, reducing damage to surrounding tissue.
- Radiofrequency ablation or laser: These methods use thermal or laser energy to shrink or remove tonsil tissue with varying degrees of invasiveness.
After removal, the surgical site is typically pressed with gauze and may be closed with dissolvable stitches or sealed with heat to control bleeding. The patient is monitored in recovery until they wake from anesthesia. Recovery usually takes about one to two weeks, with common side effects including throat pain, bleeding risk, and difficulty eating or drinking immediately after surgery. Pain relief medications are typically given during recovery. In summary, the tonsils are surgically removed through the mouth using various methods involving cutting or energy to separate and remove the tissue, with care taken to control bleeding and promote healing.
