Tonsillitis: What You Need to Know

1. What Is Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is a common condition in otolaryngology. It can occur in both children and adults and may sometimes cause serious complications, such as peritonsillar abscess, sleep apnea, or complications affecting other organs in the body.

2. Where Are the Tonsils Located?

The tonsils are masses of lymphoid tissue located in the tonsillar fossae along both lateral walls of the oropharynx, between the anterior and posterior tonsillar pillars.

3. What Is the Function of the Tonsils?

The tonsils play a role in the immune system by participating in antibody production, helping capture and eliminate antigens upon exposure.

The tonsils serve as an immune barrier in the oropharynx. Their immune activity is strongest between the ages of 4 and 10, after which tonsillar immune activity decreases significantly and they become less active after puberty.

4. What Symptoms Occur with Tonsillitis?

Symptoms may include fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, bad breath, fatigue, poor appetite, and swollen cervical lymph nodes.

The tonsils may become enlarged and develop exudate or pus:

• Tonsillar hypertrophy may cause daytime sleepiness, airway obstruction, nighttime coughing, voice changes, and particularly sleep apnea.
• Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillitis may lead to distant complications such as rheumatic heart disease, rheumatic fever, and glomerulonephritis.

Peritonsillar abscess: Symptoms may include fever, severe unilateral throat and neck pain, bad breath, excessive mucus and purulent secretions, enlarged and tender cervical lymph nodes, difficulty opening the mouth, and difficulty breathing. The condition may progress to a deep neck abscess.

5. How Is Tonsillitis Treated?

5.1. Medical Treatment

Lifestyle modifications: Avoid drinking iced beverages, drink plenty of fluids, and maintain regular oral hygiene.

Medications: Medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and antipyretics may be used to relieve symptoms. Antibiotics are used when indicated.

5.2. Surgical Treatment

6. How Is Tonsillectomy Performed?

Common indications for tonsillectomy include:

• Recurrent tonsillitis: Tonsillitis that occurs repeatedly.
• Tonsillar hypertrophy causing airway obstruction.
• Cryptic tonsillitis causing bad breath.
• GABHS tonsillitis associated with complications such as rheumatic heart disease, rheumatic fever, or glomerulonephritis.
• Peritonsillar abscess.

6.1. Tonsillectomy Techniques

• Conventional dissection tonsillectomy
• Monopolar or bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy
• High-frequency surgical device tonsillectomy
• Ultrasonic scalpel tonsillectomy
• Coblation tonsillectomy

7. Postoperative Care After Tonsillectomy

• Ensure adequate nutrition and fluid intake to support wound healing. In addition, soft and cool foods are recommended during the first week.
• Avoid coughing, forceful throat clearing, and loud shouting.
• Attend follow-up appointments as scheduled.
• Patients can still speak normally immediately after surgery.

The information above is for reference purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please contact your doctor for detailed medical consultation.