What are tonsils and why are they operated?

The tonsils are part of the immune tissue that we have in our body and with which we are born, and allows us to generate that contact with the microbes of the environment. Thus, our immune system begins to strengthen itself in a proper way.

The tonsils receive the virus, process it and teach the immune system how to defend itself from the infection and how to do it more and more efficiently.

When should I remove them?

However, there are tonsils that are diseased and do not fulfill their normal function. For that, in otorhinolaryngology, there are three absolute indications to have them surgically removed:

1. Repeated infections: patients with bacterial infections that generate problems directly in the tonsil: fever higher than 38°C, acute sore throat, general malaise. More than 7 infections in a single year is already an indication for surgery. Or, more than 5 infections per year for two consecutive years. Also, more than 3 infections per year for three consecutive years.
2. Airway obstruction: occurs in patients with a significant increase in the size of the tonsils. It tends to occur more frequently in children who also have sleep apnea (stop breathing during sleep), and breathe through the mouth.
3. Tonsil tumors, both benign and malignant.

"Recall that tonsillitis occurs in both tonsils and usually clears up in a matter of 5 to 7 days with proper treatment. If you have a lesion at the level of the tonsils that persists for more than 15 days, or a couple of months, it is clearly not normal, and you should check with a specialist", suggestedDr. Carlos Saborío, specialist in Otorhinolaryngology at Clínica Bíblica.

Some risk factors that can add to a person being diagnosed with tonsil cancer are:

1. Smoking
2. Alcohol consumption
3. Being older than 50 years old
4. Human Papilloma Virus infections
5. Poor oral hygiene
6. Poorly fitted dentures

Other compelling reasons for surgery

Another indication to remove tonsils surgically is caseous tonsillitis: white spots in the tonsil that cause bad breath. Many times it is mistaken for infection, and when taking different antibiotics, it does not go away.

"These are tonsils that, if they are not removed, the patient will not be cured of the problem," added Dr. Saborío.

There are different techniques to remove tonsils such as cold surgery, coblation, and ligasure.

To learn more, you can watch the following webinar organized by the Clínica Bíblica: