Tonsils in children

Why are the child’s tonsils removed?

The first cause of the removal of the tonsils is the contraction of angina repeatedly. First of all, it is necessary to make sure that it is indeed a sore throat. A temperature above 38 ° 5 C, tender and larger lymph nodes in the neck. These symptoms lead to the child having a rapid diagnostic test for tonsillitis. In a few minutes, it can tell whether or not it is an infection with streptococci. This type of angina can be treated with a five-day antibiotic treatment, but in the event of recurrence, removal of the tonsils can be considered to prevent him from taking too many antibiotics.

How old to remove tonsils?

Not for 5 years. Tonsil surgery is being considered for children between 5 and 10 years (this is the time when the tonsils are the biggest) which make more than five strep throat in the year. The profit is particularly clear during the first two years following the operation.

What to do in case of obstructive tonsils?

Tonsillar hypertrophy, a recent condition probably related to Pollution, is responsible for more than half of tonsil operations. It affects children under 5 and is the cause of sleep apnea syndrome.

Symptoms of swollen tonsils

Breathing problems, especially at night, are the main symptoms. On examining the mouth and pharynx, the doctor finds that the space between the tonsils is very small. The obstruction is manifested by respiratory disorders occurring at night. The snoring can be heard, even with the door closed, and are punctuated by pauses of a few seconds during which the air no longer passes. The child is agitated, repeatedly wakes up screaming and asks for water. During the day, he talks about his nose, he has a headache or he grows less well. Strangely enough, he has few tonsillitis.

Ablation is essential in case of obstructive tonsils. Unlike ablation for repeated tonsillitis, removal of the tonsils is essential because the child’s brain and heart suffer and the operation gives excellent results.

Tonsil surgery: how is it going?

Adults who were operated on in their childhood often have bad memories of the operation. But the progress in anesthesia and the taking into account of the pain improved the course and the consequences of the intervention.

When to operate on tonsils?

Instead, the tonsils are removed in the winter. Contrary to what was previously believed, the removal of the tonsils is possible throughout the year. It is simply less ‘comfortable’ in summer, when it is hot, because the difficulties of post-operative swallowing prevent you from quenching your thirst at will.

The course of the operation

Hospitalization lasts one or two days. The child is completely asleep with the help of a mask or an injection. The pains, stronger than for adenoids, require the intake of powerful analgesics for about four days. It is therefore necessary to plan a week of rest at home: no question of going on vacation too far from a medical drop-off point in the following fifteen days, because of the risk of bleeding.

Tonsil removal: questions – answers

• I had a small tonsil surgery, does my child have a more (bad) chance of being operated on?

No, and even if the father has also been operated!

• Won’t the tonsils be missing once removed?

No, because there are actually several tonsils. The ablation concerns only the “platinum”, and not the “lingual”, located at the level of the narrowed part of the throat. What remains is sufficient, along with the nose and throat filter, to protect the airways and digestive tract.

• My child has just started nasopharyngitis. Can we operate tomorrow?

No, nasopharyngitis postpones the operation for eight days. Bronchitis (and the cough that accompanies it) delays the procedure for three weeks because of the risk of congestion by stagnant secretions under anesthesia.