Are your tonsils bothering you with frequent throat infections, pain when swallowing, or even causing snoring or breathing interruptions during sleep? Are you saying “Enough!” while dealing with recurrent pharyngitis attacks, serious throat infections, or enlarged tonsils? At our clinic in Istanbul, Tonsillectomy Surgery offered with the meticulous surgical approach of our Ear-Nose-Throat specialists and state-of-the-art equipment fundamentally resolves your throat health and improves your quality of life in both children and adults.

What is Tonsillectomy Surgery?

Tonsils are lymphoid tissues located on both sides of the throat that filter germs coming from the mouth and nose. However:

  • Enlargement (Hypertrophy): In school-age children, it can cause nasal congestion, sleep apnea, and speech disorders.
  • Recurrent Infections: If you experience more than 5 severe tonsillitis episodes per year, the risk of hematological and metabolic complications increases.
  • Peritonsillar Abscess: Purulent cavities causing severe pain and difficulty swallowing can develop.

Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure where tonsil tissue is completely or partially removed, eliminating the source of infection. It is performed under general or local anesthesia using coblation, diathermy, or cold dissection techniques.

Why Choose Tonsillectomy?

  • Reduced Infections: Recurrent pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and peritonsillar abscess are almost completely eliminated.
  • Improved Sleep Quality: Snoring and sleep apnea symptoms due to enlarged tonsils are dramatically reduced.
  • Easier Swallowing and Speaking: The feeling of throat obstruction ends, your voice becomes clearer.
  • Increased Energy Levels: Getting rid of the constant infection burden relieves daytime fatigue.
  • Minimal Complication Risk: Thanks to modern techniques, bleeding, pain, and edema control are successfully managed.
  • Fast Recovery: Return to social life is possible within 3-5 days in children, 7-10 days in adults.

Who Are Candidates?

  • Children (3-12 Years): Those experiencing ≥5 tonsil infections per year or ≥3 peritonsillar abscesses.
  • Adults: Those with chronic tonsillitis (sore throat, fever, fatigue) and sleep apnea complaints due to enlargement.
  • Positive Family History: Patients at risk for systemic complications such as rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis.
  • Cases Uncontrolled by Medication: Conditions that do not respond to antibiotics and conservative treatment.

Note: In cases of bleeding disorders, high anesthesia risk chronic diseases, or acute infection, detailed physician evaluation is mandatory first.

Pre-Surgery Preparation Process

1. Free Initial Consultation & Examination

Endoscopic throat examination and tonsil size measurement.

Simple sleep questionnaire or polygraphy referral for suspected sleep apnea.

2. Laboratory & Imaging

Complete blood count, coagulation profile, EKG if necessary.

Routine nasopharyngeal culture and antibody tests in children.

3. Anesthesia Evaluation

General or sedation + local anesthesia option; patient age and general health status are considered.

4. Information & Motivation

Surgery steps, possible risks, dressing and nutrition plan are explained in detail.

You’ll feel at ease with our “Next Day Return to Social Life” guarantee.

5. Appointment Confirmation & Preparation Instructions

6-8 hour fasting on surgery day, oral hygiene and comfortable clothing recommendations.

How is Tonsillectomy Performed?

1. Anesthesia Initiation:

Safe sleep under general anesthesia, minimal comfort for adults preferring sedation.

2. Surgical Techniques:

  • Classic Cold Dissection: Cutting and removing tonsil tissue with scissors and curette.
  • Diathermy (Bipolar/Monopolar): Simultaneous coagulation and cutting, maximum bleeding control.
  • Coblation: Minimal thermal damage with low-temperature ionic current technology.

3. Dressing and Drainage:

Generally does not require drainage; bleeding control is achieved by placing tampon or spongostan in the throat.

4. Operation Duration:

20-40 minutes; followed by 30-60 minutes observation in recovery room.

The Importance of Doctor Selection

Tonsillectomy is both a functional and comfort-focused process. The ideal surgeon:

  • Ear-Nose-Throat Specialist (Otolaryngologist): Tonsillectomy certified, experienced in pediatric and adult surgery.
  • Anesthesia Team: Team specialized in pediatric and sedation options.
  • Empathetic Communication: Approach that comforts both patient and family, providing realistic expectation guidance.
  • Hygiene & Comfort Standards: Single-use equipment, sterile operating room, “blue comfort rooms” equipment.

Surgery Day: What Awaits You?

1. Morning Preparations & Anesthesia Consultation:

Vital measurements, sedation or general anesthesia briefing.

2. Tonsil Excision:

20-40 minute quick and controlled procedure.

3. Recovery and Dressing:

Tampon or gel layer in throat, pain and nausea control.

4. Ward Observation & Discharge:

2-4 hour observation; those requiring sedation may stay 1 night.

5. Home Care Instructions:

Soft diet, plenty of fluids, mild painkiller protocol, throat gargle recommendations.

Recovery Process

  • 1-3 Days: Mild sore throat and difficulty swallowing are normal; liquid-diet foods, cold ice packs are recommended.
  • 4-7 Days: First dressing check; swelling and pain decrease, light return to social life is possible.
  • 7-10 Days: Complete healing; feeling of throat obstruction completely ends.
  • 1 Month: Infection tendency disappears, tonsils are completely cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will tonsillectomy need to be repeated?

It is usually permanent once performed; recurrence is rare.

2. Does the surgery hurt?

You won’t feel pain with anesthesia comfort; there may be mild pain during recovery.

3. When will my child get better?

Most children can return to school within 3-5 days; swallowing comfort increases rapidly.

4. Will snoring stop?

Snoring and mild sleep apnea due to tonsil enlargement improve significantly.

5. Will my throat get infected more often?

Since the source of infection is eliminated, throat infections decrease significantly.