Glands or tonsils (in Latin - tonsillae) is a lymphoid tissue that is located in the nasopharynx and oral cavity and has an oval shape. Pathological processes of the organ are the most common among the population. They are both acute and chronic course.
Types of glands
There are two types of tonsils:
The first type of glands is divided:
- on the first and second tonsils, located in the pharyngeal ring (between the soft palate and the tongue);
- on the fifth and sixth, which are located in the area of the opening of the pharynx and auditory tube.
Unpaired glands are represented by:
- the third amygdala (pharyngeal or nasopharyngeal), which is located in the arch area and in the region of the posterior pharyngeal wall (its pathological change is called adenoids);
- the fourth gland (lingual), located under the tongue.
Most often, with a hypertrophic process in the tonsils, this organ is removed along with part of the connective tissue (tonsillectomy).
Structure and Functional Features
Located on 2 sides of the throat, the glands prevent the pathogenic agent (bacteria and viruses) from entering the body through the pharyngeal ring from the environment. That is, they are a kind of "filter". Glands are an important component in maintaining normal immunity, performing hematopoietic function.
The difference in palatine tonsils is that they are represented by a porous structure, the so-called lacunae (indentations). They are the trap for pathogenic microflora. Each tonsil consists of 10-20 gaps. The entire surface, as well as the depth of the organ, contains follicles. Their role is the production of macrophages, lymphocytes and plasmocytes, which "fight" with foreign microorganisms. It is the development of a nonspecific immune response of an organism to a foreign microflora that corresponds to T and B lymphocytes (the formation of white blood cells).
The outer surface of the glands is a capsule in the form of a mucous membrane and peri-almond fiber in the back. The appearance of pus in these areas from follicles and lacunae leads to the formation of a purulent abscess (peritonsillar process).
The glands are shrouded in a network of the nervous system. Therefore, with inflammation of the tissue, the patient feels severe pain in the throat. They are also well washed with blood from the carotid artery. With purulent complications, with a breakthrough of a purulent abscess, there is a risk of infection with sepsis, Lemierre syndrome, streptococcal meningitis.
Causes of tonsillitis
Tonsil inflammation can develop for various reasons:
- the presence of an infectious onset in the body (caries, staphylococcus and streptococcus);
- hereditary predisposition;
- frequent hypothermia;
- decreased immunity.
Symptomatic manifestations of inflammation of the tonsils
Inflammatory processes (tonsillitis) in the tonsils are usually a common disease. Most often in children of preschool age (from 3 to 6 years), they occur in the form of tonsillitis. If a sore throat is severe and often manifests itself, the doctor will advise cutting the tonsils. After all, tonsillitis is a fairly serious disease. However, it proceeds quite hard, has the following symptoms:
- increase in body temperature to 38 degrees and above;
- severe sore throat, especially when swallowing;
- characteristic plaque on tonsils (white or yellow, depends on the type of tonsillitis);
- swollen cervical lymph nodes;
- severe intoxication of the body;
- fever;
- nausea;
- enlargement of the first two tonsils;
- weakness;
- lack of appetite.
After a quality treatment, the disease goes away and no longer appears. With frequent tonsillitis (from 3 times a year), the pathological process becomes chronic. And this focus is a hotbed of infection. This affects the internal organs. The presence of a permanent chronic focus leads to the development of complications (rheumatoid arthritis). That's when you need to cut tonsils accurately and without much thought.
Tonsillectomy: indications and appointments
If drug therapy of tonsillitis does not give positive results, and the tonsils do not fulfill their function, then the doctor prescribes tonsollectomy (removal of the tonsils).
Here are the cases in which tonsils are cut:
- frequent relapses of tonsillitis (from three or more times a year);
- adenoids;
- the presence of complications (the appearance of pathological processes in other organs: heart, kidneys, joints);
- ineffective therapeutic treatment;
- nasal airway obstruction;
- apnea (may occur with proliferation of lymphoid tissue);
- snore;
- decreased immunity against the background of frequent relapses;
- paratonsilar abscess.
Diagnostic measures
Before the tonsils are cut out for adults and children, preparatory measures are taken: taking tests, ultrasound of the tonsils, a favorable period is chosen. A prerequisite for its implementation is that the patient should be in remission (absence of symptoms of inflammation).
Removal Methods
How to cut tonsils, the question is quite relevant. Currently, there are various methods for tonsillectomy, which meet all modern requirements. You can “pull out” tonsils quickly and efficiently, while the rehabilitation period will be minimal.
A tonsillectomy involves the use of a laser beam. If you are tormented by the question of how it does not hurt to cut tonsils, this method is for you. Conducted sintering and destructive effect on the tissue of the tonsils without bleeding. The procedure takes from 22 to 26 minutes, performed after preliminary local anesthesia. In this case, there is no open wound, a short recovery period occurs with a low level of infection.
Allowed to use:
- infrared laser - carries out the separation and bonding of tissues;
- holmium - removes inflammation without damaging healthy tissue;
- fiber optic - complete organ removal;
- carbon - removal of the infected focus by evaporation.
This type of intervention in the body has disadvantages:
- possibly not complete removal of the tissue, which can lead to the development of the inflammatory process;
- there is a risk of getting a burn of a healthy mucosa;
- Great price for the procedure.
Radio Wave Removal
On the question of how to cut tonsils, the use of radio waves will help - the effect on the tissue of thermal energy converted from radio waves. This allows you to destroy alien microflora, while damage to nearby healthy tissue is minimal. Duration is 18-20 minutes. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. The recovery period is from 5 to 7 days with a minimal risk of complications.
The disadvantage of the operation is relapse, which may occur later, since the organ is not completely removed, only partially. Highly qualified doctor is very important here.
The use of cryodestruction
The procedure is carried out by freezing glands with liquid nitrogen on an outpatient basis. Exposure temperature: -196 . Preliminary local anesthesia is used. There is no bleeding. Duration of the procedure: 16-22 minutes. Short rehabilitation period. After 14 days, exfoliation of dead tissue is observed.
The disadvantages include the probability of incomplete removal of damaged tissue, the appearance of halitosis and discomfort during exfoliation. This procedure has a high cost.
Removal by excision of the glands
Removal of the tonsils by excision: the tissue of the tonsils is excised using a scalpel or loop (classic method). Does it hurt to cut tonsils this way? The use of general anesthesia is shown here. The method is recognized as the most radical, since the focus of infection is completely removed. A longer recovery period is needed here. The duration of the procedure is 40-50 minutes.
This type of operation has disadvantages:
- the presence of bleeding for 7-10 days;
- the presence of tissue edema after the removal procedure (leaves in a day);
- long recovery after surgery;
- there is a risk of infection (entrance gate - open wound);
- the patient feels severe pain.
Tonsil excision can be carried out at any age thanks to modern high technical equipment. Surgical intervention is recommended for young children (from 2 years old) and elderly people.
Contraindications to surgery
Do not remove tonsils if:
- there are diseases of the internal organs, especially their severe course (the presence of severe renal and heart failure, diabetes mellitus);
- active form of tuberculosis;
- vascular anomalies of the pharynx (aneurysm);
- diseases of the nervous system (severe course);
- blood diseases (hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, etc.);
- oncological diseases (leukemia);
- the development of an acute process in the tonsils (tonsillitis);
- the presence of menstruation in women;
- pregnant (with a period of more than 26 weeks).
Rehabilitation period
Knowing in which cases the tonsils are excised, you need to familiarize yourself with the postoperative period. After all, after surgery, it is important to behave correctly, to comply with all the doctor's recommendations:
- it is necessary to spit blood after surgery, lying on its side;
- you can’t talk and move a lot during the first day of rehabilitation (body temperature may rise);
- the first intake of liquid (water) is allowed after 4-5 hours;
- You can eat on the second day in the form of liquid puree (not hot dietary food);
- do not gargle for 2-3 days after the procedure (strictly prohibited!);
- taking pain medication is indicated;
- in the presence of a painful syndrome in the throat, antibiotics are prescribed;
- it is necessary to limit physical activity (within 14-21 days);
- avoid stressful situations.
What are the complications?
After surgery, the patient's condition may worsen. At the same time, there is a risk of development:
- bleeding within 14 days after surgery (in this case, you must call an ambulance);
- severe pain, an uncomfortable state in the throat (it is recommended to take special lollipops);
- increase in body temperature (37.1- 37.2, lasts several days, at 38.0-39.0 - consult a doctor).
Tonsillectomy is the main method of treating chronic processes in the tissues of the tonsils, since in this case the disease does not respond to the main drug therapy, complications may arise due to the constant pathogenic microflora. This may include allergic reactions, diseases of the joints, heart, kidneys.
According to statistics, the frequency of postoperative complications is quite small. The correct behavior of the patient before and after the procedure for removing the tonsils, high-quality preparation, the use of modern methods and means to avoid complications.
Is it worth cutting tonsils?
Otolaryngologists suggest that patients preserve palatine tonsils, if there is no particular indication for this. Antibiotics, local antiseptics, collections of medicinal plants, physiotherapeutic treatment are prescribed. An important influence on the treatment of the chronic process is nutrition. Strengthening the body with exercise and vitamin complexes.
The presence of palatine tonsils in the human body helps to maintain immunity at a high level. And after removal of the tonsils, the immune system becomes susceptible. It is important to conduct fortifying therapy, raise the protective properties of the body to a higher protective level. Only then will the body cope with the negative effects of bacteria and viruses.
Otherwise, if the infection enters the nasopharynx, it will fall onto the vocal cords, then below it into the bronchi and lungs. There is always a risk of getting pneumonia, bronchitis or pharyngo-tracheitis.
Before agreeing to surgery, especially if it is required to excise the tonsils in a child, a thorough examination, consultation with an ENT doctor and therapist is necessary. It is important to weigh, as they say, all the pros and cons. Indeed, the operation, although minimal, is always a risk to human health.
The answer to the question is yes, is it possible to cut tonsils. Surgery can and should be performed if the body does not cope with its function, but is only a source of infection. Other organs suffer from this. Immunity is reduced, and the body is exhausted from a constant inflammatory process. There is a risk of developing serious pathological conditions that can lead to death.