The tonsils, also known as the palatine tonsils, are an important immunologically active organ. Sensitizing T lymphocytes pass on antigens to produce antibodies, and these effects are most active in children between the ages of 2 and 5 years. From an immunological point of view, the tonsils should not be removed before the pediatric immunity is fully developed. Tonsillar hypertrophy in children is often a physiological phenomenon and is a sign that immune activity is growing. It may also be a manifestation of an allergic reaction. In principle, tonsillectomy should not be performed in children under four years of age or in children with enlarged tonsils that do not interfere with breathing or swallowing. However, if the tonsils are repeatedly infected, they may be called focal and damage the organism. Focal tonsillitis, which can cause rheumatism, heart disease or kidney disease. In this case, the tonsils have been transformed from an immune organ to a super-immune organ, and from an organ of defense to an invasive portal and foci of infection, and the tonsils should be surgically removed as soon as possible. In addition, in children, especially young children, the tonsils are highly hyperplastic, causing partial obstruction of the upper respiratory tract, resulting in obstructive apnea during sleep, which can lead to pulmonary hypertension due to long-term oxygen deprivation and carbon dioxide accumulation, causing diseases such as tonsil-pulmonary heart disease and tonsil-brain syndrome.
What to know after tonsil surgery: Diet: 4-6 hours after local anesthesia, if there is no bleeding, you can eat cold fluids, such as frozen milk, ice cream, iced sugar water, etc. The next day, you can eat warm fluids, 3-5 days after surgery can be up to 2 weeks to eat highly nutritious, easily digestible soft food, to ensure the supply of sufficient calories. Pay attention to avoid eating raw, hard and spicy food, and strictly prohibit smoking and alcohol.
Rest and activities: postoperative to prevent hemorrhage as the principle, local anesthesia after surgery lateral or lying head to the side, general anesthesia after surgery to the pillow, lying flat next to the corner of the mouth put curved disk, oral secretions to spit into the curved disk, can not swallow, so as to observe the bleeding. Ice packs are applied to the neck to reduce wound pain and bleeding. The mouth is not rinsed on the operation day to avoid bleeding. A semi-recumbent position is desirable on the following day to facilitate swallowing. After the operation, appropriate activities can be performed. On the first postoperative day, the patient starts to speak and make appropriate stretching and swallowing movements to reduce scar adhesions.
Review time and indications: review after discharge according to doctor’s orders, and review at any time if there is pharyngeal discomfort.