Tonsillectomy

ENT Specialists

ENTs and Allergy Clinics located in Salt Lake City, UT; Murray, UT; Tooele, UT; Draper, UT; & West Jordan, UT

A tonsillectomy is a standard childhood operation to remove the tonsils — two small glands at the back of the throat. At ENT Specialists in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper and Tooele, Utah, the board-certified team provides expert tonsillectomies to protect and improve your child’s health. When necessary, they also offer the procedure for adults. Call ENT Specialists today or schedule a consultation online if you or your child needs a tonsillectomy.

Tonsillectomy Q & A

What is a tonsillectomy?

The tonsils are two small glands at the back of the throat that prevent germs from entering the body. Adenoids are similar glands at the back of the sinuses. A tonsillectomy is a procedure to remove the tonsils. In many cases, your surgeon performs an adenoidectomy at the same time.

The team at ENT Specialists usually performs tonsillectomies in children, although patients of all ages can develop problems with their tonsils and need surgery.

Why would my child need a tonsillectomy?

While a tonsillectomy is a common and routine procedure, the team at ENT Specialists only recommends surgery when absolutely necessary.

In most cases, ENT Specialists recommends a tonsillectomy to address chronic tonsillitis (inflamed tonsils) or strep throat. For example, if your child has more than seven cases of tonsillitis or strep throat in 12 months, or 10 cases in two years, they might need a tonsillectomy.

Your child might also need a tonsillectomy if they have:

Breathing problems because of swollen glands
Frequent, loud snoring
Sleep apnea

If you think your child might have a problem with their tonsils, schedule an appointment at ENT Specialists for an expert evaluation and treatment recommendations.

What happens during a tonsillectomy?

The team at ENT Specialists uses different surgical techniques depending on your child’s needs. They offer conventional “cold knife dissection” procedures, cauterization, and ultrasonic vibration.

During a cold knife dissection, the surgeon uses a scalpel to remove the tonsils. Cauterization uses heat, and ultrasonic vibration uses high-frequency soundwaves to extract the tonsils.

Regardless of the technique, the team provides general and local anesthesia to ensure your child sleeps through the operation and doesn’t experience any pain.

What is recovery like after a tonsillectomy?

Most children have a sore throat after their tonsillectomy. They might also have some discomfort in their neck, jaw, or ears. It’s best to stick to cold liquids for a couple of days after surgery and progress to soft foods as discomfort subsides.

Your doctor prescribes medicine to manage pain and reduce the risk of infection. Most patients can go back to school within two weeks.

Call ENT Specialists or make an appointment online today to learn more about a tonsillectomy.

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