Tonsils - physiological formations, the basis of which is lymphoid tissue. They are located near the pharynx and are responsible for the functionality of the immune system. Their main task is to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. If a person is constantly sick with respiratory pathologies, then these organs are unable to qualitatively perform their functions. In the presence of chronic tonsillitis, laser removal of the tonsils may be required.
What is a disease?
Conditionally pathogenic microflora is always present in the gaps in the gaps of the tonsils. Under the influence of negative factors, a decrease in immunity, the presence of infectious foci, and the presence of anatomical structural features of this area, an inflammatory process can develop in a person. Without timely treatment, it takes on a chronic form.
Symptoms of chronic tonsillitis in adults are as follows:
- Malaise, general weakness and a significant decrease in performance.
- A slight increase in temperature, which may be present for several days in a row.
- Sore throat, pain.
- Putrid breath (in the presence of pus).
- Soreness when swallowing.
- Significant mental and physical fatigue.
- Redness and swelling of the palatine arches.
In complex cases, the patient's lymph nodes increase. Symptoms of chronic tonsillitis in adults do not always appear in the complex.
Complications of chronic tonsillitis
So, according to ICD-10, tonsillitis is a serious pathology that requires a serious approach to therapy. If the treatment did not give a positive effect or the patient consulted a doctor too late, he may experience the following complications:
- Rheumatic lesions of the musculoskeletal system, skin.
- Renal function impairment: pyelonephritis.
- Damage to the heart muscle: rheumatic heart disease.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Polyarthritis.
- Vision problems.
- Exacerbation of chronic pneumonia.
- Damage to the liver.
- Problems with the functionality of the endocrine system.
Chronic tonsillitis is a constant focus of inflammation, contributing to the accumulation of toxins that do not adversely affect all body systems. The patient also has problems with the functioning of the nervous system.
General characteristics of the procedure
According to the ICD-10 code, tonsillitis belongs to the group of respiratory diseases. Here you can’t hesitate with treatment. The affected tissues are treated with a special device - tonsillor. The course of therapy lasts several sessions (5-12), depending on the severity of the pathology. The duration of one treatment does not exceed 5 minutes
Such an surgical intervention makes it possible to cleanse the lymphoid tissue from pus and affected areas, improve its regenerative properties, and minimize inflammation. The laser also destroys pathogens. Since tonsils are removed almost non-contact, the possibility of infection of the tissues is small.
Before the operation, the patient passes laboratory tests of blood and urine, the doctor examines the tonsils. If necessary, the patient is assigned additional instrumental diagnostics.
Operation benefits
Laser removal of tonsils has the following advantages:
- Low risk of pathogenic microflora getting on the wound surface.
- Short rehabilitation period.
- The possibility of applying local anesthesia.
- Minimizing the risk of bleeding, as damaged vessels are immediately cauterized.
- The operation is carried out in a short period of time.
- There are no open wound surfaces.
Laser removal of tonsils is carried out using special equipment that reduces the risk of complications.
Disadvantages of the procedure
Tonsil removal in children or adults is not always permitted. There are such contraindications:
- After the anesthetic ceases to function, a sufficiently strong pain syndrome may be present at the site of the operation.
- If the tonsils were not completely removed, there is a risk of re-development of the disease.
- Fairly high cost of the procedure.
- Serious tissue burn (if the specialist does not have enough experience or the equipment is configured incorrectly).
The removal of tonsils with a laser cannot be called a magic procedure that will relieve all health problems. But this is a modern operation that avoids many complications.
Indications for
The operation to remove tonsils has the following indications for use:
- Joint and ligament problems.
- Pathologies that affect the connective tissue.
- Inefficiency of conservative treatment - remission does not occur.
- Frequent cases of respiratory diseases (several times a month).
- Serious complications of the cardiovascular and excretory system.
- Too much proliferation of lymphoid tissue, which can lead to respiratory failure.
Tonsil removal surgery should only be done after a thorough examination. To do it better in a clinic with a good reputation.
Possible contraindications
According to ICD-10, tonsillitis has the code J35. It must be treated without fail. However, the operation is not allowed to everyone. There are such contraindications:
- Respiratory pathology in the acute stage.
- The risk of an allergic reaction.
- Diabetes.
- Tuberculosis.
- The presence of a malignant tumor in the body.
- Blood clotting disorder.
- Disruptions in the work of the heart and blood vessels.
- Children's age (up to 10 years).
- The period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Any contraindications to the removal of tonsils with a laser should be considered by a doctor. And he must evaluate the general condition of a person, his age, features of the functioning of internal organs.
Types of Laser Therapy
The cost of removing tonsils with a laser depends on what type of surgery the doctor chooses. The following types of procedures are distinguished:
- Complete removal. Destroyed all the lymphoid tissue.
- Laser ablation Here, the beam acts superficially on the affected tissue. After this, the lacunae expand and a deeper cleaning of the tonsils from purulent masses and damaged fragments is performed.
The operation can also be classified by the type of equipment used:
- Fiber optic. It is used if, due to constant inflammatory processes, the tonsils are severely affected.
- Holmium. With this treatment, the internal foci of inflammation are destroyed, but healthy tissues remain unaffected.
- Infrared Using this method, you can not only disconnect the tissues of the glands, but also connect them.
- Carbon Thanks to this treatment, the inflammatory process is eliminated, swelling goes away, so the tonsils are reduced in size.
How tonsils are removed is already clear. As for the choice of the type of treatment, the doctor chooses it depending on the severity of the pathology, the condition of the patient himself, as well as other factors. The price of removing tonsils with a laser ranges from 1200-1500 r. for 1 procedure, and several may be required.
Features of the intervention
The specified intervention is carried out more often under local anesthesia, but there are cases when general anesthesia is required. To conduct anesthesia, a solution of dicain or lidocaine is used.
When performing local anesthesia, the drug is applied not only to the tonsils, but also to the root of the tongue. This will help to remove the gag reflex for a while. Further, infiltration anesthesia is used. An injection is performed under the mucous membrane. The drug must be administered correctly so that it can provide anesthesia in all the treated area. Removal of tonsils is carried out only after 5 minutes.
During the operation, children are sometimes given general anesthesia. Its advisability is determined by the doctor. The intervention itself lasts about 1 hour. It provides for the following stages:
- Preparation. First, the patient undergoes a complete medical examination. He passes laboratory tests, he is assigned instrumental diagnostics of the respiratory system and heart. If infectious foci are present in the oral cavity, they must be disposed of first. It is better to carry out the operation during the early autumn.
- Treatment of mucous membranes in the surgical field with disinfectant and analgesic solutions.
- To ensure maximum patient safety, special safety glasses are put on him. If the anesthesia is local, then the person is in a sitting position. During the procedure, the patient may have a feeling of tingling and mild cold, numbness.
- Capture of the tonsil with special forceps and its removal. In this case, the equipment must be pre-configured. The specialist sets the depth of penetration of the beam, as well as its intensity. The doctor needs 4 sets of 15 seconds to resolve the problem. The time of intervention may vary depending on its type and characteristics of the pathological process.
During the procedure, cauterization of blood vessels occurs, therefore, the risk of bleeding is reduced, discomfort is reduced.
Postoperative period
Even laser removal is a surgical procedure. The patient may feel a lump in the throat during the day. This is facilitated by swelling of the palatine tongue and the walls of the pharynx.
In order for healing to pass quickly and without complications, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of doctors. Immediately after the tonsils are removed, you must follow a strict bed rest, as well as stay on a hungry diet.
Next, you need to eat rationally and balanced. It is better to abandon fatty and spicy dishes, prefer soft and liquid foods. It is better to eat food of moderate temperature. A dish that is too cold or hot can adversely affect fabrics that have recently been treated.
The patient is allowed to consume ice cream. He also needs to drink enough fluids per day. The recovery period is 3-4 days. As for the need for antibiotics, this is the doctor's decision. But these drugs do not relieve sore throats and are not a reliable barrier against infectious complications. Reviews on laser removal of tonsils are mostly positive.
Forecast and Possible Consequences
With timely access to a doctor, the prognosis for the patient is favorable. Respiratory and swallowing function is restored quite quickly. But with improper use of the equipment, the patient can get a burn, he will have scars on the mucous membrane. You can only agree to an intervention in a clinic with a good reputation.
Laser removal of tonsils is an innovative method of combating their pathology. But before even deciding on such a safe operation, you should consult a doctor. The specialist must consider all contraindications and features of the body.