Previously, a very common method of treatment was surgery to remove glands - tonsillectomy, which is currently rarely practiced.
Indications for removal of glands and reasons for the appointment of surgery:
- chronic tonsillitis or frequent incidence of sore throat;
- paratonsillar abscesses - distribution of inflammation and pus formation outside the glands;
- submaxillary lymph nodes are constantly enlarged, despite any methods of treatment;
- puffiness of the tonsils makes breathing and swallowing difficult;
- inflammatory processes in the tonsils provoke infection of the ears, including the middle ear;
- puffiness of the tonsils leads to speech disorders.
Methods for removing glands:
1. Surgical excision. Assumes the incision of soft tissues over the amygdala and its subsequent extraction. In simple terms, the gland is pulled out with a special tool. This method is very painful and provokes prolonged heavy bleeding. In addition, there is a risk of rupture of a blood clot with a large blood loss after surgery. Has the longest recovery period.
2. Laser removal of the glands. There are several types of laser apparatus for carrying out this procedure. Despite the different principles of action, they work similarly. With the help of a laser beam, the amygdala is completely burned by evaporation of moisture in the mucous tissues. Laser removal of glands is safer and does not lead to loss of blood, although the method is also quite painful.
3. Cautery by electrocautery. The process of removing glands occurs by burning the tonsil tissue with an electric current using a device similar to a thin metal rod. The possibility of local effects only on the tonsils without affecting adjacent mucous membranes allows not to leave large areas of damage. It also reduces pain after the expiration of anesthesia.
4. Remove glands with liquid nitrogen. Cryosurgery is the safest method, but requires 3-4 procedures instead of a one-time operation. The amygdala is cooled with liquid nitrogen to a temperature of -196 degrees, which causes the natural dying of tissues. Repeated freezing accelerates this process and as a result the organism independently gets rid of glands.
5. Ultrasonic and radio wave removal. A high intensity of ultrasound or radio wave heating warms the amygdala from the inside to very high temperatures. As a result, cells of the soft tissues of the glands are destroyed, and it disappears. With this method, you can perform partial removal of the glands, destroying only their damaged parts.
Recovery after removal of the glands
The first day after the operation requires rest and relaxation. Sleep preferably on the side to avoid getting blood into the respiratory tract. Also on this day it is forbidden to talk and swallow, eat. It is necessary to stay in hospital for about a week for timely examinations and reduce the risk of complications.
After discharge, rehabilitation takes two weeks. This time can be at home, but to limit physical activity and adhere to the recommended diet.
Diet after removing the glands:
- from the second to the sixth day you can eat liquid cereal, dairy products, souffle soups. It is desirable to grind everything to a puree state;
- after the first week in the menu soft steamed cutlets from low-fat meat, a potato and fruit puree are added;
- from the tenth day diet can not be respected. It is recommended not to eat foods that irritate the throat (acute, salty).
Complications after removal of the glands:
- Severe prolonged bleeding.
- Inhalation (aspiration) of the dressing tampon.
- Infection of damaged mucous membranes.