Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the palatine tonsils, commonly performed for recurrent throat infections or breathing obstruction during sleep.

Recurrent tonsillitis: Repeated inflammation of the palatine tonsils, often caused by viral or bacterial infections. Frequent, severe episodes are a common reason to consider tonsil removal.
Palatine tonsil: One of two lymphoid tissues located on either side of the oropharynx. These are the structures removed during the procedure.
Tonsillotomy: A partial removal or reduction of tonsil tissue that preserves some tonsillar structure. Unlike tonsillectomy, it leaves tissue behind and may allow regrowth.
Postoperative pain: Pain that occurs after a surgical procedure as tissues recover. Throat pain commonly persists for days and can make swallowing difficult.
Obstructive sleep apnea: A disorder in which repeated upper-airway obstruction disrupts breathing during sleep. Enlarged tonsils can narrow the airway, especially in children.
Tonsillar fossa: The recess in the oropharynx occupied by a palatine tonsil. The surgeon separates the tonsil from this anatomical space.
Antibiotic therapy: Treatment with medicines that kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. It treats selected bacterial infections without removing the tonsils.
Dehydration: A state in which the body loses more water than it takes in. Painful swallowing after surgery can reduce fluid intake.
Tonsillar hypertrophy: Enlargement of the palatine tonsils beyond their usual size. Large tonsils can cause swallowing difficulty or obstruct breathing.
Extracapsular tonsillectomy: A technique that removes the tonsil and its capsule from the surrounding tissue. It is a standard approach to complete tonsil removal.

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