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Tonsillectomy

The tonsils are found at the back of the throat and are part of the lymphoid tissues (glands in your neck) that help protect your body from infection by germs that are breathed or swallowed. If the tonsils become inflamed (tonsillitis), they may need to be removed (tonsillectomy).

I have a question about tonsillectomy or tonsillitis treatment

What is tonsillitis?

The tonsils are small glands which are located at the back of your throat, one on either side, and are part of your immune system.

As we mature from childhood, tonsils become less important in fighting off bacteria and viruses, however they can become inflamed if you have an infection. This condition is called tonsillitis.

What causes tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is usually caused by viral infections such as rhinoviruses (which cause the common cold), influenza or parainfluenza (which causes croup and laryngitis), enteroviruses (which cause hand, foot and mouth diseases), adenovirus (which causes diarrhoea), rubeola virus (which causes measles) or, rarely, the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes glandular fever).

Tonsillitis can also be caused by bacteria; usually group ‘A’ streptococcus bacteria.

Tonsillitis isn't contagious, but the viral infections that cause it are. These include those that cause colds and flu, which are spread by coming into close contact with someone who's already infected.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

The main tonsillitis symptom is a sore throat. Tonsillitis causes your tonsils to also be red and swollen and your throat will probably be very painful, making it difficult to swallow. Sometimes the tonsils will have white, pus-filled spots on them.

Other common tonsillitis symptoms include a fever, coughing, tiredness, earache or headache and bad breath. You may also have inflamed tonsils or swollen tonsils and painful glands in your neck, and you may lose your voice.

How is tonsillitis diagnosed?

Your GP will usually be able to diagnose tonsillitis after a discussion about your symptoms and by looking at your throat and tonsils to see if you need to undergo tonsil removal.

What is a tonsillectomy - is it a cure for tonsillitis?

A tonsillectomy is an operation to remove the tonsils and, as a tonsillitis treatment, it provides long-term relief from repeated bouts of tonsillitis and tonsil pain.

Removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy) is normally only recommended if they cause significant problems, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing or if you suffer from severe or repeated episodes of tonsillitis.

What happens during a tonsillectomy?

A tonsillectomy is carried out under general anaesthetic so you’ll be asleep during the operation. Sometimes it can be carried out as day surgery, when you can return home on the same day; however an overnight stay in hospital is usually required.

The tonsils are removed by carefully cutting or peeling them away from the surrounding tissues. The operation is carried out through your mouth, so no external incisions are required. The procedure, which takes around half an hour, can be performed using a number of different methods:

  • Traditional surgery uses blades to cut out the tonsils. Bleeding is controlled by applying pressure or sealing the blood vessels using heat (cauterising).
  • Diathermy uses a heated probe to destroy tissue around the tonsils, remove the tonsils and simultaneously seal the blood vessels to stop any bleeding.
  • Coblation (or cold ablation) is a similar method to diathermy but uses lower temperatures.
  • Lasers are high-energy beams that can cut away the tonsils and seal the blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
  • Ultrasound uses high-energy waves that work like lasers.

Each of these methods offers a very similar outcome in terms of patient safety, recovery and long-term results.

How much does a private tonsillectomy cost?

For details of the cost of private treatment for a tonsillectomy, view the ENT section of our pricing page or contact our Private Patient Team on 01580 363158.

Our ENT Consultants

Mr Balfour

Alistair Balfour

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Balfour's specialties include thyroid surgery, head and neck surgery and rhinology.

Mr Vikram Dhar

Vikram Dhar

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Dhar is a specialist ENT Consultant at Benenden Hospital

Mr Fu

Bertram Fu

ENT Consultant

Mr Fu is a qualified Rhinologist with a special interest in nasal and sinus conditions. His specialities include otolaryngology and rhinology.

Mr Robert Hone, ENT Consultant

Robert Hone

ENT Consultant

Mr Robert Hone is a ENT Consultant at Benenden Hospital

Mr Sharp

Henry Sharp

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Mr Sharp's specialties include rhinology and non-cosmetic nasal plastic surgery.

Mr Christopher Theokli

Christopher Theokli

Consultant ENT/Head and Neck Surgeon

Mr Theokli is an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist with over 10 years of experience working in this field.

Contact us to arrange a tonsillectomy

It's easy to find out more about treatment by giving us a call or completing our enquiry form.