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Tonsillectomy

A Tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed for specific medical reasons. The operation typically takes around 20 minutes and is often performed together with an Adenoidectomy (removal of the adenoids).

Intracapsular Coblation Tonsillectomy

This is a modern and refined surgical technique in which most of the tonsil tissue is removed while preserving the protective tonsillar capsule. A thin layer of tonsil tissue is intentionally left in place.

By avoiding exposure of the underlying throat muscles, this technique is associated with significantly less postoperative pain and a lower risk of bleeding, leading to a faster and more comfortable recovery compared with traditional tonsillectomy methods.

Common Reasons for Tonsillectomy in Children:

1. Sleep-Disordered Breathing / Obstructive Symptoms

  • This is the most common indication for tonsillectomy in children.
  • Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can narrow the airway, leading to snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep (known as obstructive sleep apnoea), and poor-quality sleep.
  • In these cases, tonsillectomy is usually performed together with adenoidectomy to improve breathing and sleep quality.

2. Recurrent Episodes of Acute Tonsillitis

  • Tonsillectomy may be recommended if a child suffers from frequent and significant tonsillitis infections, where the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks.
  • Guidelines suggest that surgery is considered when your child has had:
  • At least 7 episodes of acute tonsillitis in the last 12 months, or
  • At least 5 episodes per year for the last 2 years, or
  • At least 3 episodes per year for 3 years.
  • Each episode should typically be documented by a healthcare professional and involve symptoms such as fever, sore throat and enlarged lymph nodes.

3. Asymmetrical Tonsils

  • If one tonsil is significantly larger than the other, a tonsillectomy may be advised to rule out any rare but more serious conditions that can occasionally present this way in children.

4. PFAPA Syndrome

  • In children with PFAPA Syndrome (Periodic Fever, Aphthous stomatitis, Pharyngitis and Adenitis), tonsillectomy has been shown in studies to reduce or even eliminate the frequency and severity of episodes.

Recovery

Most children recover very well within 7–10 days, especially after intracapsular coblation tonsillectomy, which is associated with less pain and a quicker return to normal eating and activities compared to the traditional method.

Dr Ellinas performs and explains an Intracapsular Coblation Tonsillectomy – Watch here:

Intracapsular Coblation Tonsillectomy – YouTube