Overview
Conditions

Tonsillectomy

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About Tonsillectomy

While the removal of tonsils (tonsillectomy) is a long-standing procedure, today there are more advanced options for conducting the surgery. The different instruments now available to your surgeon can ultimately affect the amount of pain experienced after the operation and the speed of recovery.

Included among the various instruments that can be used to perform a tonsillectomy are:

Steel Scalpel-a traditional knife blade used to excise the tonsil tissue.

Electrosurgery- a traditional device that uses electrical energy to burn (or cauterize) the tonsil tissue to reduce blood loss. The extreme heat generated by electrocautery can damage the surrounding healthy tissue

HARMONIC® Technology – a technique that utilizes high-speed vibration to incise soft tissue. This may result in less bleeding30 during the operation. In fact, using these devices may improve the overall recovery experience, which is even more important when it comes to treating kids. And not only have HARMONIC® Devices been shown to reduce bleeding, they have been shown to reduce readmissions due to bleeding and infection30 after the surgery. In the end, this all helps patients return to their normal life sooner5 and kids to go back to being kids faster.

Site References

Talking to your Surgeon about Tonsillectomy

If a tonsillectomy has been recommended for you or your child, your surgeon is your best resource for information. It is important to understand your individual situation and find the best option. Here are some questions you can use to get the conversation started:

  • Why do you recommend a tonsillectomy?
  • Why is this procedure being recommended at this time?
  • If a tonsillectomy is not performed, what are the other options?
  • What is your experience in performing this procedure?
  • What are the risks of a tonsillectomy?
  • What do you expect to be the outcome of this procedure?
  • What is the recovery process for this procedure?
  • Can you describe the procedure you are going to perform?

Tonsillectomy Resources

For more information, download this PDF of the Tonsillectomy Patient Brochure called “Helping Kids be Kids Faster.”

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Did you know?

Tonsillectomy performed with advanced devices, such as HARMONIC® Technology, can help patients return to normal activities faster than if the procedure were performed with traditional instruments.5

Site References

 

Find a Surgeon

Whether you choose to have conventional surgery or to have a Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), it is important that you have a surgeon who is experienced and qualified to perform the proce- dure. Use the tips below to ensure that your surgeon has the proper credentials.

To locate a surgeon in your area experienced with MIS, click here.