What is Tonsillitis & Tonsillectomy?

Tonsillitis and Tonsillectomy: When a person opens his mouth there are a
lot of things you can see, one of the most important organs that help fight off infection
are among them. also known as tonsils. Tonsils are often overlooked when you open
your mouth. this is because they are often small and hiding
between the two arches. These tonsils are known as ‘Palatine tonsils’
due to their location near the Palate or the roof of the mouth. How tonsils fight off infection? The tonsils act like a sentry point for the
throat, picking up virus and bacteria particles which are breathed in or swallowed, and relaying
these to the immune system. To help with this role, the surfaces of the
tonsils are pitted with a number of little recesses, also called tonsil crypts. These increase the surface area of the tonsils,
relaying more viruses and bacteria to the immune system. How tonsils get infected? Tonsils can also become clogged up with bacteria
and food particles which can lead to problems. When this happens the tonsil itself becomes
infected and starts to get swollen due to inflammation because of infection leading
to condition known as Tonsillitis or ‘Inflammation of the tonsils’. Because the tonsils are always trapping bacteria
they can become infected quite commonly especially in children leading to condition known as
Recurrent Acute tonsillitis. Signs and symptoms of tonsillitis? The main symptom of tonsillitis is sore throat,
but since the throat and ears share the same nerves, the pain is often felt in the ears
too, this process is known as referred pain. The pain is usually worse when swallowing
also known as odynophagia. Very young children may not complain of a
sore throat but may simply refuse to eat. In addition, you may also have a cough, fever
due to infection, headache, feel sick, feel tired, and Swollen and tender glands (lymph
nodes) on the sides of the neck as well as Bad breath How tonsillitis is diagnosed? Diagnosis is based on a physical examination
of your throat. Your doctor may also take a throat culture
by gently swabbing the back of your throat. The culture will be sent to a laboratory to
identify the bacteria causing the throat infection. Treatment for tonsillitis A mild case of tonsillitis does not necessarily
require treatment, especially if a virus, such as a cold, causes it. Good rest and remaining well hydrated are
treatment of choice in such cases. Pain killer medicines can be added to relieve
the throat pain. Treatments for more severe cases of tonsillitis
may include antibiotics or a tonsillectomy. Antibiotics will be prescribed to fight a
bacterial infection. It’s important you complete the full course
of antibiotics. Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of tonsils
to permanently end the problem of tonsillitis. Criteria for Tonsillectomy? At least seven episodes in the previous year,
at least five episodes in each of the previous two years, or at least three episodes in each
of the previous three years How tonsillectomy is done? (Dissection and Snare Method) There are multiple methods to do tonsillectomy,
one of the most commonly used is Dissection and Snare method. Steps of Dissection and Snare method:
1: Patient is placed in Rose Position 2: Boyle Davis mouth gag is introduce and
opened.It is held in place by Draffin’s bipods or a string over a pulleys. 3.Tonsil is grasped with forceps and pulled
medially. Incision made in the mucous membrane. 4.A blunt curved scissors may be used to dissect
the tonsil from the peritonsillar tissue and separate its upper pole. 5.Tonsil is held at its upper pole and traction
applied downwards and medially or scissors until lower pole is reach. 6: Wire loop of tonsillar snare is threaded
over the tonsil on to its pedicle, tightened. 7: Pedicle is cut and the tonsil removed 8:.A gauze sponge is place in the fossa and
pressure applied for a few minutes 9: Bleeding points are tied with silk. Procedure is repeated on the other side