Tonsil stones are formed due to repeated episodes of tonsillitis, resulting in fibrosis of the crypts, obstruction of secretions and other discharges, and accumulation of caseous material formed by shedding epithelium and bacterial debris in the crypts, which can be as small as gravel or as large as pigeon eggs. Small tonsil stones can be removed with tools, and larger stones can be removed by tonsillectomy.
1. Small stones: When tonsil stones are small, there is usually no obvious discomfort, so patients can use a spatula or pliers to remove the stones, and in some cases, negative pressure suction can be used to remove the stones.
2. Large stones: as the stones increase in size, the patient can appear pharyngeal foreign body sensation, sore throat, pharyngeal itching, coughing, bad breath and other manifestations, for stubborn tonsil stones or stones larger, affecting the swallowing function of the patient, can be considered for surgical treatment of tonsillectomy, for the accompanying acute infection of the patient should be in infection control and then perform surgery.
It is recommended that patients should not eat or drink after surgery, wait for 6 hours before drinking and eating, and cold liquid food, such as room temperature milk, etc. Patients with severe postoperative pharyngeal pain can contain ice or take ibuprofen as prescribed by the doctor to alleviate the pain, and in addition, the patient should develop good oral hygiene habits, morning and evening brushing, rinsing after meals, so as to avoid bacterial inhalation and recurrence of the disease.