Tonsil removal surgery: duration, cost and step by step

• Tonsil surgery is performed in order to remove the tonsils and put an end to the inflammation and infection of tonsillitis.
• When drug treatment has no effect and the tonsillitis is chronic, the only effective option is tonsil surgery, also known as tonsillectomy.
• Tonsil surgery is performed on an outpatient basis so you can go home the same day as the operation.

The aim of tonsil surgery is to remove the tonsils and eliminate discomfort in the patient, due to the different conditions that may occur in the tonsils. But, what are tonsils?  They are a composition of lymphatic tissue located on both sides of the throat. These glands are part of the immune system and help prevent illnesses caused by germs and viruses that we inhale from the air.

In some cases, this protective function can overstrain the tonsils and lead to inflammation, causing a range of symptoms such as discomfort and pain when swallowing or eating, nasal and ear blockage, tiredness, nausea etc. 

However, when this state of inflammation in the tonsils is permanent, the symptoms are much more serious:

• Loud snoring.
• Recurrent infections or accumulation of pus in the throat.
• Ear infections
• Hearing loss
• Coughing.
• High fever, over 38ºC.
• Group A streptococcal infections.

Sometimes, inflammation can be treated by taking medication, or it can decrease in size naturally as we grow. However, when pharmacological treatment has had no effect and the hypertrophy persists over time, in a chronic manner, the specialist will determine surgery as the most convenient and effective treatment.

Although tonsillitis is more common in children, tonsil surgery is also recommended for adults.

Who is a candidate for tonsil surgery?

Tonsil surgery is a surgical treatment performed on both children and adults. As you know, tonsils can change their size and alter their function for different reasons. In cases where any of these circumstances are present, the patient will become the perfect candidate for tonsil surgery:

• Chronic tonsillitis: if inflammation in the tonsils occurs recurrently, it may indicate that drug treatment is not having any effect. Tonsil surgery may therefore be the appropriate treatment.
• Recurrent infections: Infections may occur on a regular basis, about 7 times a year or more. This may be a reason why your child misses a lot of school, or why you miss work.
• Sleep apnoea and breathing problems due to obstruction: inflamed tonsils are the main cause of sleep apnoea. In these cases, the operation to remove the tonsils will be the treatment recommended by the doctor.
• Tonsil cancer: this is associated with people over 50 years of age and smokers, in whom the only effective treatment is surgery to remove the tonsils.
• Chronic halitosis: halitosis can be a sign of tonsillitis, especially when it is recurrent.

When tonsillitis is chronic, the only option is tonsil surgery.

However, it will be the Otorhinolaryngology specialist who will make a diagnosis to determine the cause of the inflammation and infection and establish its severity.

We remind you that Operarme offers you an immediate and free surgical assessment consultation to determine whether or not you are a patient for tonsil surgery. If you would like to book your appointment, click on the image below:

Tonsil surgery takes 15-20 minutes. However, in some cases the adenoids also need to be removed, which can take up to 40 minutes.

Full recovery will take 10 - 15 days.

During this time, it is important that you follow the guidelines and instructions given by the doctor to ensure a full and speedy recovery. If your child has undergone the surgery and is in discomfort, the ENT specialist will prescribe the appropriate medication to reduce the discomfort.

The cost of the tonsillectomy surgery with Operarme is 1.890 € and includes everything necessary to perform the operation as safely and effectively as possible, for you or your child. This is a fixed price, made up of a series of factors necessary for your comfort and to perform the tonsillectomy in the most optimal way:

• Booking and use of the operating theatre.
• Surgical material necessary for the operation.
• Post-operative visit.
• Medical fees.
• Anaesthesiologist fees.
• Nursing team fees.

First of all, it is necessary to have a preoperative stage. This period prior to tonsillectomy is used to rule out possible complications that may hinder the correct course of the operation.

Tonsil operation pre-operative period

Therefore, during the preoperative period for the tonsil operation, the following tests will be performed:

• Electrocardiogram: with this test, the anaesthetist and the doctor can check your cardiovascular health and decide whether or not you are fit for the operation.
• Blood test: if there is any infection in the body, this test will be decisive to check whether or not it exists. If the test indicates that there is an infection, it will have to be checked before tonsil surgery.
• Chest x-ray: This test will only be performed if the doctor says it is necessary. The chest x-ray will allow you to rule out any signs of infection.

After completion of the preoperative stage, it is usual to have a consultation with the anaesthetist who will review the results and determine the suitability of the surgery for your medical circumstances.

Tonsil surgery is performed under general anaesthesia to avoid any discomfort for the patient.

Regarding the type of anaesthesia, general anaesthesia is required for tonsillectomy. The area to be operated on is in the throat and operating with the instruments can be very uncomfortable, which is why full anaesthesia is used. This way, you will not feel anything during the operation, as you will be asleep, favouring the surgeon's manoeuvre.

On the day of your tonsil operation, you will go to the hospital and the team of doctors and nurses will help you prepare for surgery. Once you arrive, you will be taken to a pre-surgical room where you will change your clothes and where you will be given a line to administer the anaesthetic and saline solution.

Once in the operating theatre, you will be placed on the stretcher in the position indicated by the doctor and the anaesthetic will be applied. We remind you that for this procedure, anaesthesia is general anaesthesia. When the medication takes effect, the operation will begin:

• First, a tool will be placed in the mouth to keep it open during the operation and provide better access.
• The tonsils are then located and removed with a scalpel.
• With a tool called a diathermy, the wound will be cauterised and the blood vessels will be closed, allowing faster natural healing without the need for stitches or stitches.

Tonsil surgery is an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day as the operation.

Once the tonsillectomy is finished, you will be taken to the recovery room until you recover from the anaesthetic. It will usually be only a few hours before you go home.

The postoperative period after tonsillectomy is usually longer in adults, so you will need to avoid any physical exertion and maintain complete rest for the first 10 days after the operation.

Full recovery from tonsil surgery will take 15 - 20 days, although you will notice improvement day by day.

However, it is normal to feel discomfort or minor sore throats during this time. However, recovery times depend mainly on whether you follow the medical indications given by the specialist.

If you are thinking of undergoing tonsil surgery, you should know that Operarme offers you a free surgical assessment consultation with a specialist in Otorhinolaryngology.

Therefore, if you would like to meet our collaborating doctor in your city, you can contact us via the contact form.

In this consultation, you can assess your case with the specialist, and review all your medical reports and tests to confirm that you require surgery. We remind you that in this consultation the need for surgery in your case of tonsils is assessed so that the doctor and you can find a solution to the pain and discomfort.

If you want to know how Operarme works for tonsil surgery, you can contact us on +34 91 141 33 56, and our patient care team will help you and answer any questions you may have and, if you wish, book your appointment with the specialist on the day that suits you best.

If you are sure about it, you can meet our specialists and request your surgical assessment consultation in two simple steps. Click on the following image and book your appointment: