recurrent tonsilitis: tonsilectomy or not?

[Choco]

My 6 years old son has recurrent tonsilitis for the past 2 yrs. 10 episodes the first year and 6 the second year. ENT suggests a tonsillectomy but Paediatrician says to wait another year to see if it gets better. I've heard so much downsides of tonsillectomy, ex., since the tonsils act as soldiers fighting at frontline, having them removed means that the enemies will just go elsewhere such as the lung and the chest. or other stories such as having tonsils removed doesn't mean that you wont get tonsilitis because the tissues behind the tonsils can still get infected. I'm so confused!! what should I do? I don't want my son to go through a painful surgery but the outcome won't be beneficial at all!!! HELP!!!

oh yes - does have jelly and ice cream too. Even I had some too as well as DS. Took me back to being a child again!

I had my tonsils out in childhood - twice! First time I was about 10, second time 16. I'd had miserable tonsilitis again and again until I had them out the first time. Was getting down to 3 weeks between episodes. That was immediately relieved. However the surgeon was useless and left bits in (!) These then (this is horrible) apparently started to grow back, and there were various other rather unpleasant minor complications that you probably don't want to hear about. Another doctor said best to take out the remaining bits and cauterise. No problems at all since then. Have to say that the operation was a great deal nastier second time around...fits with what others say about it being easier for smaller children.

littlefrog - OMG . I have been told that they can grow back, but thought those people were talking rubbish, but now I know that it can happen. How awful for you to have had to go through it twice.

hey guys, as i'm doing research on the net on tonsillectomy, i've found that this procedure can also be done through "laser ablation of tonsils" in which laser is used to reduce(or eliminate) the tonsils. this technique cause less pain afterwards and less bleeding (details can be found on this web site:

www.entnet.org/healthinfo/throat/tonsil_procedures.cfm
has anyone heard of it or actually had it done thr. this technique? do you know of the side effects?

i've already asked my dr about the tonsils growing back: yeah he did say its possible. bc when drs "cut" the tonsils they don't want to cut too deep down (tonsils are not just the surface part, they have "roots" attached underneath" (not sure my wording is correct, well something like that ) bc it'll make the wound too big. and some drs cut it too little. my dr explained that therefore a well experienced dr is needed!!! well he also said that some ppl just grow back despite how good the dr. performed. the dr. who explained this to me is my family dr, not the dr. who will be performing the op, so i don't think there's any bias....

Mmm, yes, wasn't a pleasant experience. Second doctor did say first doctor had messed things up, and certainly after this happened to me my parents did suddenly hear a rash of complaints about doctor 1 from other folk.
STILL, although I wish the second op had not been necessary, the first op did cause a huge change in my life - I wasn't missing a week of school every month! So I'm really glad I had it.

hey guys, as i'm doing research on the net on tonsillectomy, i've found that this procedure can also be done through "laser ablation of tonsils" in which laser is used to reduce(or eliminate) the tonsils. this technique cause less pain afterwards and less bleeding (details can be found on this web site:

www.entnet.org/healthinfo/throat/tonsil_procedures.cfm
has anyone heard of it or actually had it done thr. this technique? do you know of the side effects?

oopps...sorry for the repeat!

Hi chocco

A tonsilectomy is a minor operation - both I and my son had ours out in September and November of last year. Its painful for about a week after; 9 days after I had mine out I had returned to university. It is true that they ask you to eat dry toast and/or crisps after the op. This isn't as crazy as it seems - these sorts of food ar ideal for sloughing off dead cells and keeping the throat in the optimum condition for healing - fluid is obviously important, but this does little to help heal the area and eating icecream only is a myth from about 25 years ago! I know it is worrying for your child to have any operation, but bear in mind that in some parts of the world, tonsillectomies are done as day cases and thus are seen as very minor procedures.
We have also both benefitted from having them out. I suffered from recurrent tonsillitis but obivously now do not, and my son is far happier and healthier.

Our 4 1/2 year old is on his 5th bout of something. He has a very high temperature, is very lethargic, has gone off his food, has a furry tongue and his breath stinks.

Dr referred him to peadiatrician who says its one of those things. We are starting to think of things like tonsillitis or problems with his adenoids - any thoughts would be welcome - hes had 16 days off sick from school since september and has 75% attendance.

Cheers