Tonsillectomy: safe and painless removal of palatine tonsils (glands)

The palatine tonsils (commonly known as glands) are an important barrier of our immune system, being the first to encounter viruses and bacteria. But sometimes, due to frequent tonsillitis, this protective barrier breaks down. The tonsils turn into a chronic focus of infection, poisoning the entire body, damaging joints, heart, and kidneys. The only effective solution in such a situation is tonsillectomy — surgical removal of the tonsils.

If you dread this operation under local anesthesia in a chair, forget about it! At St. Luke’s Clinic, tonsillectomy is performed according to modern European protocols: under medical sleep, without pain, fear, or psychological trauma.

When should tonsils be removed? (Indications)

The decision to remove them is made by an ENT doctor only when conservative treatment (rinsing, antibiotics) no longer helps. The main indications for surgery are:

• Decompensated chronic tonsillitis: tonsillitis recurs more than 3-4 times a year and is accompanied by a high fever.
• Complications to internal organs: infection from the tonsils (streptococcus) has begun to affect heart valves (myocarditis, endocarditis), joints (rheumatism, arthritis), or kidneys (glomerulonephritis).
• History of peritonsillar abscess: if you have had an abscess in the throat near the tonsil at least once, the risk of its recurrence is extremely high.
• Caseous plugs: formation of foul-smelling white or yellow lumps in the tonsillar crypts, causing persistent bad breath and discomfort.
• Hypertrophy (significant enlargement) of the tonsils: the tonsils are so large that they touch each other, interfere with normal swallowing of food, and cause breathing pauses during sleep (apnea).

How is tonsillectomy performed at St. Luke’s Clinic?

We use advanced surgical techniques that minimize blood loss and accelerate healing.

1. Absolute comfort (General anesthesia): The operation is performed under intravenous or endotracheal anesthesia. You will fall sound asleep, feel no pain, see no instruments, and experience no gag reflex.
2. Surgical stage: Instead of conventional scalpel excision, our surgeons use modern radiofrequency or electrosurgical instruments. The tissue is carefully cut, and blood vessels are instantly “sealed” (coagulated). This makes the operation practically bloodless.
3. Duration: The procedure itself takes from 30 to 45 minutes.
4. Awakening: You wake up in a comfortable ward under the supervision of our caring medical staff.

Features of rehabilitation: what to be prepared for?

Tonsillectomy is a full-fledged operation, after which two open wounds remain in the throat. They heal gradually, covered with a white coating (fibrin), which disappears on its own within 2-3 weeks. You will spend 1-2 days in the inpatient department of St. Luke’s Clinic.

The main rule after surgery is strict adherence to the regimen and diet:

• Sore throat: It will resemble severe tonsillitis (especially when swallowing, pain may radiate to the ears). The doctor will prescribe effective painkillers so you can eat and sleep comfortably.
• Diet: For 2-3 weeks, food should be soft, pureed, and lukewarm (or cool). Strictly forbidden: hot, spicy, acidic (juices, fresh fruits), hard food (croutons, nuts, cookies), carbonated drinks.
• Physical rest: For a month, physical exertion, lifting heavy objects, hot baths, and saunas are prohibited. This is critically important to avoid provoking postoperative bleeding!

Get rid of constant tonsillitis and protect your heart and joints! Schedule a consultation with ENT surgeons at St. Luke’s Clinic for professional and painless tonsil removal.