Tonsillectomy in Dubai

An Overview

Palatine tonsils are two lymph structures on either side of the back throat. They are part of a group of protective organs at the back of the throat. In our body, there are three different types of tonsils: 

  1. the adenoids (back of the nose). 
  2. the palatine tonsils (at each side) back of the mouth. Normally called just tonsils. 
  3. the lingual tonsil (at the tongue base). The three of them together form Waldeyer’s ring, which is a protection of the body from any strange germs or viruses that enter through the nose or mouth to the body.

 

The palatine tonsils, which we commonly call tonsils, function as the body’s natural defence system against infection. They help to prevent the infection from going down to the throat. When they catch an infection, they swell and produce pain, and this condition of swollen tonsils is called tonsillitis.

Typically, tonsillitis subdues with salt-water gargle, medications, and sometimes on its own. However, it can also be very painful and problematic, requiring surgical removal of tonsils, called tonsillectomy. Dr Peter, one of the best tonsils doctors in Dubai, believes that tonsillectomy relieves painful symptoms of tonsillitis and ends its suffering.

Signs & Symptoms of Tonsillitis

Here are some common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis:

  • A sore, itchy throat
  • Bad breath, fever, or shiverings
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Pain in the ears, stomach, or throat
  • Swelling in the neck or jaw; swollen lymph nodes
  • White or yellow patches on the tonsils
  •  Red and inflamed tonsils

Possible Causes of Tonsillitis

The two lymph structures prevent infections from going down the throat and stomach. It is an alarm to the system, which gets infected first by bacterial or viral invasion.

It can be caused by:

  • Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria that cause tonsillitis and strep throat.
  • Many other bacterias
  • Common cold virus

Risk Factors of Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis affects school-going children (5-15 year children) more than adults. School-going children are regularly exposed to tonsillitis-causing microbes while talking and sharing food with friends with tonsillitis tendencies.

Diagnosis of Tonsillitis

If your tonsils are red and inflamed, it denotes tonsillitis. But sometimes, when these obvious symptoms are absent, you may experience other symptoms like a throat or stomach infection and need a detailed diagnosis.

When you visit your Dr Peter, he first diagnoses:

  • Look for rash and strep throat symptoms
  • Gently check swollen glands or the lymph nodes
  • Throat, ears, and nose with a lighted instrument to check for infection
  • Listen and observe the deep breathing sound with a stethoscope

He might also demand a swab test or CBC count test to diagnose tonsillitis.

Throat swab test –  A long swab is inserted in the throat, and the mucus sample is collected and tested in the lab. A throat swab test indicates the presence of tonsillitis-causing microbes.

CBC count – The CBC profile count normally escalates due to bacterial or viral blood infection. It also helps to diagnose strep throat.

Treatment of Tonsillitis

If the tonsillitis is not serious, the doctor will ask you to take at-home treatments. He can recommend antibiotics or surgery when needed.

At-Home treatments
  • Licorice lozenges
  • Hydration
  • Taking lukewarm liquids
  • Green tea with raw honey
Antibiotics

Antibiotics are special medications that kill infectious bacteria causing tonsillitis. If the symptoms reduce, the antibiotic medication is working as expected.

However, if tonsillitis frequently occurs, causing swallowing problems, throat rashes, and pain as major problems, the doctor can suggest a tonsillectomy.

There are specific indications for tonsillectomy at this moment according to guidelines of the American Academy of Otorhinolaryngology that has been updated since 2019. (Mitchel R, Archer S, Ishman S, et al. Clinical practice guideline: tonsillectomy in children (update). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019;160:S1–S42.). These not only include performing tonsillectomy for recurrent infections, recurrent tonsillar abscess, pediatric and adult obstructive sleep apnea, malocclusion in dental facial development, alterations of speech and swallowing, bad breath or halitosis, psoriasis, PFAPA syndrome.Randall D. A. (2020). (Current Indications for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM, 33(6), 1025–1030. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2020.06.200038)

Tonsillectomy

The tonsillectomy procedure can be done in different ways. Here is more about our tonsillectomy surgery in Dubai.

Dissection

In dissection, the tonsils are cut and removed with a scalpel. This is the traditional method. It is slightly more painful and causes a bit more blood loss.

Adenotonsillectomy

An adenoidectomy, or adenoid removal, is a surgery to remove adenoid glands. Although adenoids protect the body from infection, sometimes they become abnormally swollen, enlarged, and chronically infected. Adenoidectomy alleviates pain and discomfort caused by those glands.

Radiofrequency devices

The use of low heat temperature to dissect and coagulate the surgical field allows a safe and fast procedure. There are diverse devices that allow a good removal of the tonsils and adenoids. One of the preferred methods is the use of Coblation. Coblation is a low-temperature radiofrequency procedure that allows partial or complete removal of the tonsils and adenoids.
Adenotonsillectomy Video:
Radiofrequency devices Video:

A tonsillectomy is a day procedure and completes within 30 to 45 minutes. It is done under general anesthesia and hence very safe surgery, especially when performed by an expert doctor like Dr Peter Baptista.

Dr Peter Baptista is one of the most experienced ENT doctors, with elaborate experience in doing tonsillectomy in Dubai. Book an appointment to consult him for tonsillitis issues.