CLEARFIELD – Remember when having a tonsillectomy meant enduring a sore throat and a diet of soft food for weeks after surgery?
An advanced technology now available at Clearfield Hospital is helping patients recover faster from tonsillectomy, with minimal pain.
Dr. Justin D. MacCarthy, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Clearfield Hospital, said unlike traditional tonsillectomy procedures, which remove tonsils by cautery (a procedure used to heat tissue), Coblation-Assisted Tonsillectomy combines gentle radiofrequency energy with normal saline to quickly and safely remove tonsils.
“For many years, doctors used cautery or snare techniques to remove tonsils. It took many patients up to three weeks before they could return to a normal diet and regular activity. With new technology, we can make the experience much easier for patients. Also, we hope to have less bleeding, although some bleeding may still occur,” MacCarthy said.
He explained that tonsils are lymph-like soft tissue located on both sides of the back of the neck. Along with adenoids (the soft tissue behind the nose), tonsils help the body fight infection by producing antibodies to combat bacteria that enter through the nose and mouth.
Tonsils can cause health problems when they become infected or obstruct normal breathing and nasal/sinus drainage. Recurring infections in the tonsils can lead to chronic tonsillitis.
Symptoms include fever, persistent sore throat, redness of the tonsil area, yellow discharge on the tonsils and tender lymph nodes on both sides of the neck.
In addition to blocking the throat, enlarged tonsils may interfere with normal breathing, nasal sinus drainage, sleeping, swallowing and speaking. They may also aggravate snoring and even cause sleep apnea.
Sometimes infected tonsils can be treated with antibiotics. However, MacCarthy said he usually recommends removal if a patient has had three episodes of infected tonsils or strep throat within a year, or if symptoms are interfering with a patient’s quality of life.
Brandi Coulter of Clearfield decided to have her 7-year-old son, Cameron Swatsworth, evaluated for a tonsillectomy in early January. She said in the past year Cameron has had several episodes of strep throat.
“He had a chronic sore throat and had trouble swallowing. He eventually became resistant to several antibiotics because he was taking them so much. In the last year, I don’t recall a month when he didn’t have a sore throat,” she said.
Cameron’s pediatrician referred him to MacCarthy, who, in turn, recommended that Cameron have his tonsils removed. Coulter consented, but admitted she was nervous about it.
“I had my tonsils removed when I was a child, and had a very bad experience. Even though I knew this procedure was better, I was still worried,” she said.
Cameron underwent Coblation-Assisted Tonsillectomy at Clearfield Hospital on Jan. 22. The approximately 30-minute procedure was performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. Cameron was discharged a couple hours after surgery.
At his follow-up visit a few days later, Cameron was doing well. His throat was still a little sore, which Dr. MacCarthy said is to be expected.
“I’m pleased with how well the procedure went and how quickly Cameron is recovering. I’m happy he won’t have to suffer constant sore throats anymore,” Ms. Coulter said.
While advanced technology is making tonsillectomy better, MacCarthy said patients should understand there are possible risks. For example, following the procedure, a few patients may experience a fever. Bleeding is also a risk.
For more information about Coblation-Assisted Tonsillectomy, contact MacCarthy at 768-2822, or Kathy Simmons, RN, MS, perioperative manager, at 765-5341.