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A tonsillectomy surgery will prevent your child from getting tonsillitis and the resulting pain, fever and difficulty swallowing. Book online today.
The tonsils are part of a group of lymphoid tissues (like the glands in your neck) that help to fight off infection from germs that are breathed in or swallowed.
Tonsillitis happens if the tonsils become infected.
For children, a tonsillectomy is recommended when the child has had at least four attacks each year for two years in a row.
A tonsillectomy will prevent your child from getting tonsillitis and the resulting pain, fever and difficulty swallowing.
Surgery is the only dependable way to stop tonsillitis that keeps on coming back. In children, a long course of antibiotics may break a cycle of frequent infections or the tonsillitis may simply stop after a few years.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about half an hour. Your surgeon will perform the tonsillectomy through your child’s mouth. They will cut or peel the tonsil away from the layer of muscle underneath it, or use heat to remove the tonsil and cauterise the area. They will then stop any extra bleeding.
Your child should be able to go home the following day. Sometimes a tonsillectomy is done as a day case (no overnight stay in hospital).
The pain will last for up to two weeks. It will tend to be worse first thing in the morning.
Your child will need to stay off school and away from groups of people for two weeks after the operation. This is to help prevent throat infections while your child’s throat is still healing.
If left untreated, tonsillitis can cause complications. Surgery is the only dependable way to stop tonsillitis that keeps on coming back.
Tonsillectomy costs are covered by most medical insurance policies, but please check with your insurer first. If you are paying for your own treatment the cost of the operation will be explained and confirmed in writing when you book the operation. Ask the hospital for a quote beforehand, and ensure that this includes the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee and the hospital charge for your procedure.
Author: Miss Ruth Capper MD FRCS (ORL-HNS)
Illustrations: Medical Illustration Copyright © 2007 Nucleus Medical Art. All rights reserved.
Copyright © EIDO Healthcare Limited The operation and treatment information on this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Circle Health. The intellectual property rights to the information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited. You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your personal, non-commercial use. The information should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you.
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