New Treatment for Troublesome Tonsils
July 2002 — At one time, having your tonsils removed was a childhood rite of passage. After a surgical procedure called a tonsillectomy to remove the tonsils using a scalpel, patients were promised lots of soothing ice cream — and plenty of pain and recovery time. Over the last few years, however, a new procedure to remove tonsils has shown promise for many people who suffer from troublesome tonsils. And South Florida residents can benefit from this new treatment option right here at Memorial Healthcare System.
Radiofrequency Energy
This new procedure is called "tonsillar coblation" and offers a less-invasive alternative to a tonsillectomy. "The procedure is less penetrating to the surrounding muscles in your throat, because there is no cutting. This usually means less pain for the patient," says Craig Shapiro, DO, ear, nose and throat surgeon on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Pembroke.
The coblation procedure uses radiofrequency energy to shrink tonsils with heat — there is usually no bleeding, minimal pain and minimum recovery time. The entire procedure takes about five to ten minutes. While the procedure uses heat, the temperatures produced are relatively cool, so adjacent tissue is not damaged.
Tonsils are small, oval-shaped tissue masses located in the back of the throat. They are part of the lymphatic system, which works in part to remove bacteria from the body. If too much bacteria builds up in the tonsils, they can become infected. A physician may recommend having the tonsils removed if a patient experiences chronic or severe tonsil infections, or suffers from enlarged tonsils that create an obstruction.
The Pros of Coblation
Dr. Shapiro performs all of his patients' tonsil removals using the radiofrequency coblation procedure, which is done in the hospital as an outpatient procedure. "I find that patients, particularly adults, experience much less pain with this procedure," says Dr. Shapiro." This method speeds up recovery time, too — I estimate it cuts it in half."
Children can benefit from the coblation method of tonsil removal because it is easier for them to eat and drink after the surgery, because there is less pain involved. Therefore, it's easier for parents to keep kids hydrated after surgery. One of the most common side effects or complaints of regular tonsillectomies is that patients find it too painful to drink anything after the surgery, which can result in dehydration. Dr. Shapiro says he sees much less of an occurrence of this problem using the coblation method.
Old Versus New
"I've been performing this procedure for over a year," says Dr. Shapiro. "Whether or not to perform surgery using the standard method or the radiofrequency coblation procedure is a surgeon's preference."
If you're experiencing troublesome tonsils, talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for your situation. For a referral to a physician, call the Memorial Healthcare System Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.