The tonsils are masses of lymphatic tissue located in the back of the throat whose function is to protect the body from bacteria and viruses that enter through the mouth. When these are constantly infected or inflamed, without reacting to medications, tonsillectomy is performed. This time, Dr. Andrea Calvo, otorhinolaryngologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, will give us more information about this procedure.

What is Tonsillectomy and when it should be done?

It is a surgical procedure that consists of the complete removal of the palatine tonsils. It is performed when there are frequent episodes of tonsillitis or tonsil hypertrophy that develop the following symptoms:

• Severe sore throat
• Difficulty and pain when passing food
• Fever
• Redness and swelling of the tonsils, among others

How is it done?

• For the procedure, the patient must be fasting, without having eaten food 8 hours before surgery
• Then you are given general anesthesia
• Subsequently, the tonsils are completely removed through the mouth, without making external cuts. The intervention lasts between an hour and an hour and a half.
• The points of suture are made internally and will fall alone later
• Finally, the recovery time will depend on each patient. Usually after three weeks he is fully recovered

Benefits of tonsillectomy

The benefits of surgery are:

• Have no ongoing infections
• Breathe better
• Don’t snore
• Have a better quality of life

Dr. Andrea Calvo
Otorhinolaryngologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma