TONSILLITIS

Condition and Symptoms

Tonsils are small glands in the throat. They are there to fight infections when you are a child. As you get older the tonsils become less important and usually shrink. If the tonsils are doing more harm than good then Mrs Bentley would consider tonsillectomy.

She will only remove them if they cause recurrent sore throats, despite antibiotic treatment, or if they are large and obstructing the airway. A quinsy is an abscess that develops next to the tonsil, as a result of tonsil infection. People who have had a quinsy might choose to have a tonsillectomy to prevent another episode. Tonsils are also removed if a tumour is suspected (although rare). Chronic tonsillitis can occur due to retention and discharge of semi-solid whitish material from the tonsil crypts. Tonsilloliths (tonsil stones) arise due to mineralization of this tonsil crypt material. This can give rise to halitosis which can improve on removal of the tonsils.

Treatment

If tonsillectomy is indicated Mrs Bentley will discuss the small risks of surgery in detail. Tonsillectomy takes 30 minutes under a general anaesthetic. It is a day case procedure and you can go home the same day.