About 530,000 children younger than 15 to have tonsillectomies each year in the United States

About 530,000 children younger than 15 to have tonsillectomies each year in the United States

Tonsillectomies help breathing during sleep and might reduce throat infections in the short term, according to two separate papers from researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, published Tuesday in the journal Pediatrics.

Large tonsils in children may hinder breathing when they sleep, a problem called obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB), and they can also trap and harbor bacteria in the throat, leading to infections.

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in the country, though fewer procedures have been performed since the 1970s as indications for this procedure have shifted from targeting infections to OSDB over time, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.



https://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/17/health/tonsils-removed-surgery-children-study/index.html


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It is estimated that roughly 380,000 tonsillectomies are performed annually in the United States. By far the majority of these operations are considered successful.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/tonsillectomy-risks-versus-benefits-is-it-worth-it-1192152

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A tonsillectomy, the surgical removal of your tonsils, has been the standard practice for close to 200 years, but it’s been in use for over a 2,000 years. Yes, the first mention of a tonsillectomy comes from a Roman doctor Cornelius Celsus, around 100 BCE!

Although painful, and fraught with risks, as is any invasive procedure, tonsillectomies were lifesaving, especially for kids afflicted with rheumatic fever. The procedure was also used to treat upper respiratory infections and swelling of the tonsils, which can impair breathing. Doctors also recommended the procedure because it simply eliminated any risk of further infection. However, this was before the emergence of antibiotics in the 1940s.


Since then, tonsillectomies have become somewhat redundant, as most infections can be treated effectively with medication alone. Several studies over the years have shown that tonsil removal only provides short term benefits, including quick relief, prevention of recurrence, and better health for a couple of years. The short term gains may appear to make tonsil removal a viable option, but that’s only because you haven’t considered the risks of tonsillectomy.

Tonsil Removal Risks

Breathing Difficulties

Although sometimes used to treat sleep apnea, tonsil removal can itself contribute to the problem at times. In most cases however, breathing problems following the surgery are simply a temporary effect of anesthesia and pain medications. This could also occur because of post-surgical scarring that narrows the nasopharyngeal opening, leading to nasopharyngeal stenosis.

Speech Impairment


The removal of your tonsils can increase nasal airflow, causing hypernasal speech.  Changes in voice are also attributed to excessive swelling and scarring following surgery. Although these speech changes are usually temporary, they can be permanent in cases.

Our Take

Private hospitals are notorious for recommending unnecessary surgeries to simply increase revenues, which is why it would be a good idea to seek a second or third opinion if required. Experts and researchers now suggest a ‘wait and watch’ policy, reserving a tonsillectomy as a last resort where the condition is severe or if the patient does not respond to non-invasive treatment.


Whatever you decide, remember to go in with your eyes open and completely aware of the risks and benefits involved.

https://thehealthorange.com/stay-happy/holistic-living/dont-fall-scam-tonsil-removal-unnecessary-surgery-can-avoid/