Tonsillotomy - reduction of tonsils
- Description of the treatment
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The Derm-Al Centre offers radiosurgical tonsillotomy to reduce enlarged palatine tonsils.
The purpose of the treatment is to widen the oropharyngeal isthmus. The recommendations are: snoring, apnea, problems with swallowing or speech disorders.
Tonsillotomy, removal of a part of tonsils by radio waves, is less invasive than tonsillectomy, i.e. surgical removal of entire tonsils. It is done in local anaesthesia (similar to dental anaesthesia), in a surgery. The risk of bleeding is lower, no stitches are needed and the healing process is much faster. Also, because some of the lymphatic tissue is left, the immunological function of the tonsils is preserved.
How does the treatment work
In radiosurgical tonsillotomy, an electrode emitting radio waves (i.e. waves with lower temperature and higher frequency than laser waves) is applied to the lymphatic tissue of the tonsils. Tonsils are constricted and there is no bleeding, thanks to coagulation of the tissue. The treatment may take 30 to 60 minutes. For 7 days after the treatment, the patient should avoid very hot and spicy meals, crisps, French fries, carbonated drinks, fruit juice, coffee and alcohol. Full recovery takes 7 to 10 days.Consultation with the laryngologist who will be performing the treatment is necessary before tonsillotomy. Consultation is also required if a patient has a referral for the treatment from another physician.
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