Tonsillectomy Specialist
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South Coast Ear, Nose and Throat
Avrum Kaufman, DO
ENT & Facial Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon located in Ladera Ranch, CA & Irvine, CA
When your child has recurring tonsillitis or strep throat, or they develop obstructive sleep apnea, a tonsillectomy may be the solution. At South Coast Ear, Nose and Throat, Avrum Kaufman, DO, carefully evaluates your child’s throat and tonsils to determine if surgery is the best option for restoring their health. If your child snores, seems sleepy or unusually cranky during the day, or has a sore throat, schedule an appointment by calling one of the offices in Ladera Ranch or Irvine, California, or using the convenient online booking option.
Tonsillectomy Q & A
What causes tonsillitis?
Tonsils are part of your lymph system, so they’re designed to trap germs and viruses. Then they produce antibodies to eliminate the invaders and prevent an infection.
Problems arise when the tonsils get overwhelmed with too many microorganisms. Rather than eliminating the microorganisms, the tonsils become infected and inflamed, a condition called tonsillitis.
What symptoms develop due to tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is a common problem in children, but it seldom occurs before the age of two or after the age of 15 years. Symptoms include:
- Red, swollen tonsils
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Earache
- Pain when swallowing
- Swollen neck glands
You may also see white or yellow patches on their swollen tonsils.
Can my child develop complications from tonsillitis?
Enlarged tonsils often make it hard to breathe, and they’re the top cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children. An ongoing infection may spread into the surrounding tissues or cause an abscess behind the tonsils.
The same type of bacteria that causes strep throat can also result in tonsillitis. While strep throat can lead to tonsillitis, recurring episodes of tonsillitis can also turn around and cause strep throat.
When is a tonsillectomy performed?
Dr. Kaufman may recommend a tonsillectomy — surgery to remove the tonsils — when:
- Enlarged tonsils block the airways
- Tonsillitis causes sleep apnea
- The infection doesn’t clear up with treatment
- Your child has recurring strep throat or tonsillitis
Dr. Kaufman has extensive experience with the following procedures:
Coblation tonsillectomy
This procedure uses low-temperature radiofrequency and a saline solution to gently and precisely remove the tonsils. Coblation reduces the risk of injury to the surrounding tissues and the recovery period is reduced by half compared to conventional surgery.
Intracapsular tonsillectomy
During an intracapsular tonsillectomy, Dr. Kaufman removes most of the tonsil but leaves a small amount of tissue in place to protect the side of your child’s throat. This results in less pain after surgery and a shorter recovery. Intracapsular tonsillectomy is best for young children with sleep apnea, but it’s not usually done for children with frequent strep throat and tonsillitis.
If your child snores or develops a sore throat, fever, or difficulty swallowing, schedule an appointment by calling South Coast Ear, Nose and Throat or using the online booking feature.
