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The main problems that affect the child in the throat are recurrent pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Often, this is associated with an upper respiratory tract infection. They may either start from the nose or from the throat. This may be associated with fever. If a child has more than 4 episodes of this infection per year, she should be evaluated to exclude an underlying chronic tonsillitis or allergy.
Tonsils & Adenoids
The Tonsils are lymphoid tissues found on both sides of the mouth. The tonsils sit far back in the mouth on both side of the tongue. When they become inflamed, tonsillitis is said to have developed.
The Adenoids are also lymphoid tissue that sits above the tonsils in the post nasal space. When enlarged, they can cause blocked nose, noisy breathing and snoring.
The usefulness of the tonsils and adenoids are in the first years of life where they help with the immunity of the child. As the child grows, the function of the tonsils and adenoids diminished. They can be removed if they cause medical problems or obstruction.
Tonsillitis
What Is Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is the infection of the tonsils. This is especially common in children. Tonsillitis typically starts off as a viral infection before secondary bacterial infection sets in.
What Are The Symptoms Of Tonsillitis?
The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. The sorethroat may starts off mild but can get progressively worse. Initially, swallowing solids may be painful, later swallowing liquids may be affected. Acute tonsillitis is often associated with high fever which usually make the patient feel miserable. There can be complaints of headache, earache, loss of appetite and bad breath (halitosis). The lymph glands (lymph nodes) may also be swollen.
When the tonsils becomes enlarged and inflamed speech becomes affected giving a “hot potato” speech. If the tonsils become grossly enlarge, breathing may be affected. The tonsils may be coated with a white or yellowish coating.
What are the complications of Tonsillitis?
When infection is severe, it may spread from the tonsils to the ear and throat. This will present as ear pain and hoarseness. Abscess may also form behind the tonsils or in the neck. This can lead rapidly to swallowing and breathing difficulty. Urgent treatment would be required.
How Is Tonsillitis Treated?
In most cases, tonsillitis is treated with antibiotics and rehydration. Symptomatic treatment is also given for the tonsillitis. In situation where there care complications from the tonsillitis, this are treated accordingly.
When is Surgery required?
Tonsillectomy (Removal of tonsils) is required when the child has frequent infections or in whom the infection is especially severe each time. Those with abscess formation also require removal of the tonsil to prevent recurrences.
In children, very large tonsils can cause airway blockage, snoring, mouth breathing and affects eating. Removal of the tonsils will solve the problem.
Tonsillectomy is performed under general anesthesia. Hospitalisation is usually not required. Using the technique of coblation, pain is less severe and recovery is more rapid.
Coblation Tonsillectomy
Coblation® tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is a gentle procedure for removing both tonsils and adenoids offering a fast and easy recovery.
Traditional methods remove tonsils and adenoids by cutting or burning, which can cause extensive pain and damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Coblation is an advanced technology that combines gentle radiofrequency energy with a natural salt solution to quickly and safely remove tonsils and adenoids. Because traditional procedures use high levels of heat to remove the tonsils and adenoids, damage to surrounding healthy tissue is common. Coblation does not remove the tonsils or adenoids by heating or burning, leaving the healthy tissue surrounding the tonsils unaffected.
The Coblation Tonsillectomy Procedure
Coblation® tonsillectomy is a gentle way to remove both tonsils. Coblation tonsillectomy uses radiofrequency, or RF, to remove tonsillar tissue. RF is a form of energy like radio waves, but with a higher frequency. Coblation tonsillectomy uses this energy in a precise and carefully controlled surgical process that causes very little harm to healthy tissue. Published studies have shown Coblation tonsillectomy to have the following patient benefits:
1. Less pain and less frequent use of narcotics (pain medication)
2. Significantly faster return to normal diet (2.4 days versus 7.6 days on average)
3. Less incidence of postoperative nausea and throat swelling
4. Less thermal damage to adjacent tissue
5. Faster healing