Tonsils / Adenoids

Acute Tonsillitis

Peritonsillitis (Quinsy)

Tonsil Obstruction

  • Acute tonsillitis is a common condition seen and if complicated, a peritonsillitis can result which may lead to a peritonsillitis abscess (Quinsy). This would require surgical drainage in addition to intensive medical therapy.

  • Hypertrophic tonsils are common causes of upper airway obstruction causing sleep apnea and snoring.

Tonsiller Enlargement causing Upper Airway Obstruction & Snoring

  • Obstructive Tonsillar Lesion.

  • Adenotonsiller hyperplasia is a common cause for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in children.

  • This can be resolved easily by an adenotonsillectomy.

Adenoidal Hypertrophy / Infections

Adenoidal Enlargement

Adenoidal Hyoertrophy seen on lateral neck X-ray

  • Adenoidal hypertrophy and obstruction is a common cause for snoring, sleep apnea syndrome and ‘glue’ ears.

Adenoidal Hypertrophy / Infections

  • Tonsillectomy used to be done by unipolar, or bipolar diathermy.

  • Even a LASER has been used.

  • But these techniques are performed at high temperatures causing excessive pain & swelling post operatively.

  • With PEAK tonsillectomy, the temperatures used are much lower leading to less collateral damage.

  • Hence post operative pain is less.

  • The COBLATOR Tonsillectomy is another alternative technique to minimalise co-lateral damage and post-operative pain.