Experiences frequent bouts of acute tonsillitis. The number indicating tonsillectomy varies with the severity of the episodes. One case, even severe, is generally not enough for most surgeons to decide tonsillectomy is indicated.
Has chronic tonsillitis, consisting of persistent, modererate-to-severe throat pain.
Most infections indicating tonsillectomy are a result of Streptococcus infection ("strep throat"), but some may be due to other bacilli, such as Staphylococcus, or viruses. However, the etiology of the condition is largely irrelevant in determining whether tonsillectomy is indicated. [1] (http://www.ivillage.com/topics/health/0,,232762,00.html)
Most tonsillectomies are performed on children, and there is some debate among pediatricians about the value of this surgery. In some cases, the tonsils grow back after being removed. This has led to a reduction in tonsillectomies performed for adults as well, but recent research suggests that tonsillectomy may be more effective for adults than children. [2] (http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/ccjm/aug2003/tonsill.htm)
Tonsillectomy in adults is generally regarded as a particularly painful procedure. Post-operative recovery may take 10-20 days, during which narcoticanalgesics are typically prescribed. For the first few days, a diet of soft food is recommended to minimize pain. At some point, typically 7-11 days after the surgery, bleeding may occur when the scab begins sloughing off. Approximately one in twenty patients develops significant bleeding at this time. In this case, a surgeon must repair the bleeding immediately, which presents all the risks associated with emergency surgery (most having to do with the administration of anesthesia on a patient whose stomach is not empty).[3] (http://www.cornelia-b.de/)
The government report suggests that up to 20,000 children are undergoing tonsilectomies when their recurrent infections would be better treated by antibiotics.
A tonsilectomy, while a comparatively minor operation, still carries some risk, and certainly is painful for the child.
Tonsilectomy, referral for back pain, and the removal of wisdom teeth are three topics which are under examination by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, a government body set up to advise the NHS on the best, most effective treatments.
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