Is it really bad to get tonsils out as an adult?

Question

Well I've been back and forth to the doctor for sore throats. My tonsils have swelled up really bad twice on the past month. Last time they just gave me Amoxcillian. This time a shot of Penicillian and another RX for Amoxcillain. The doctor said If I come back again I might just need to get them taken out. I'm an adult though a young adult, but heard it's really bad to to this and can cause future complications?

Answer 1

There are no "future" complications related to a tonsillectomy. There are post operative complications: infection, bleeding, dehydration or complications from anesthesia but those exist regardless of the patient's age.

The bad part of having your tonsils removed as an adult is that it tends to be more painful during the healing process...children just cope better. Children generally feel better in 4 or 5 days, teens in 5 to 7 days, and adults take 10 to 20 days! It is thought that this is because of the nerves in the throat...they are more sensitive in adults.

My son had his tonsils removed at 22 and it took him 5 days to stop complaining about his throat. My friend had hers done at 32 and it took her almost 3 weeks. Both now say they are so glad they had it done. They no longer have frequent sore throats and don't have to constantly take antibiotics due to always having sore throats.

If the surgery is necessary, just keep in mind that once the healing is over, you won't be sick as often and won't have to keep taking antibiotics or getting shots. Good luck!

Answer 2

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RE:
Is it really bad to get tonsils out as an adult?
Well I've been back and forth to the doctor for sore throats. My tonsils have swelled up really bad twice on the past month. Last time they just gave me Amoxcillian. This time a shot of Penicillian and another RX for Amoxcillain. The doctor said If I come back again I might just need to get...

Answer 3

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Answer 4

A friend had hers out as an adult. The recovery was not bad, but it took her a couple of days longer than kids.

Answer 5

The tonsillectomy today is not the same as it was in the "old days" when they went in and "hacked out" the tonsils and adenoids. Today you have several options available - all have advantages and disadvantages that you should discuss with your doctor. As you get further down the list, you will find procedures that are much less invasive and have a much faster recuperative period than the old scalpel technique. Here are the different types available to you:

Cold knife (steel) dissection: Removal of the tonsils by use of a scalpel is the most common method practiced by otolaryngologists today. The procedure requires the patient to undergo general anesthesia; the tonsils are completely removed with minimal post-operative bleeding.

Electrocautery: Electrocautery burns the tonsillar tissue and assists in reducing blood loss through cauterization. Research has shown that the heat of electrocautery (400 degrees Celsius) results in thermal injury to surrounding tissue. This may result in more discomfort during the postoperative period.

Harmonic scalpel: This medical device uses ultrasonic energy to vibrate its blade at 55,000 cycles per second. Invisible to the naked eye, the vibration transfers energy to the tissue, providing simultaneous cutting and coagulation. The temperature of the surrounding tissue reaches 80 degrees Celsius. Proponents of this procedure assert that the end result is precise cutting with minimal thermal damage.

Radiofrequency ablation: Monopolar radiofrequency thermal ablation transfers radiofrequency energy to the tonsil tissue through probes inserted in the tonsil. The procedure can be performed in an office setting under light sedation or local anesthesia. After the treatment is performed, scarring occurs within the tonsil causing it to decrease in size over a period of several weeks. The treatment can be performed several times. The advantages of this technique are minimal discomfort, ease of operations, and immediate return to work or school. Tonsillar tissue remains after the procedure but is less prominent. This procedure is recommended for treating enlarged tonsils and not chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.

Carbon dioxide laser: Laser tonsil ablation (LTA) finds the otolaryngologist employing a hand-held CO2 or KTP laser to vaporize and remove tonsil tissue. This technique reduces tonsil volume and eliminates recesses in the tonsils that collect chronic and recurrent infections. This procedure is recommended for chronic recurrent tonsillitis, chronic sore throats, severe halitosis, or airway obstruction caused by enlarged tonsils.

The LTA is performed in 15 to 20 minutes in an office setting under local anesthesia. The patient leaves the office with minimal discomfort and returns to school or work the next day. Post-tonsillectomy bleeding may occur in two to five percent of patients. Previous research studies state that laser technology provides significantly less pain during the post-operative recovery of children, resulting in less sleep disturbance, decreased morbidity, and less need for medications. On the other hand, some believe that children are adverse to outpatient procedures without sedation.

Microdebrider: The microdebrider is a powered rotary shaving device with continuous suction often used during sinus surgery. It is made up of a cannula or tube, connected to a hand piece, which in turn is connected to a motor with foot control and a suction device.

The endoscopic microdebrider is used in performing a partial tonsillectomy, by partially shaving the tonsils. This procedure entails eliminating the obstructive portion of the tonsil while preserving the tonsillar capsule. A natural biologic dressing is left in place over the pharyngeal muscles, preventing injury, inflammation, and infection. The procedure results in less post-operative pain, a more rapid recovery, and perhaps fewer delayed complications. However, the partial tonsillectomy is suggested for enlarged tonsils – not those that incur repeated infections.

Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation (Coblation): This procedure produces an ionized saline layer that disrupts molecular bonds without using heat. As the energy is transferred to the tissue, ionic dissociation occurs. This mechanism can be used to remove all or only part of the tonsil. It is done under general anesthesia in the operating room and can be used for enlarged tonsils and chronic or recurrent infections. This causes removal of tissue with a thermal effect of 45-85 C°. The advantages of this technique are less pain, faster healing, and less post operative care.