Tonsillectomy in Gurgaon

When is tonsillectomy advised?

Most sore throats don't need surgery. Tonsillectomy is generally considered when:

• Throat infections are frequent, commonly seven or more in one year, five a year for two years, or three a year for three years
• Infections are severe enough to cause missed school or work
• There has been a peritonsillar abscess (quinsy), especially more than once
• Enlarged tonsils cause snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep or difficulty swallowing
• One tonsil is much bigger than the other and needs to be checked for other causes
• Persistent bad breath from tonsil stones does not respond to other measures

Tonsillectomy in children and adults

In children, the most common reason today is enlarged tonsils and adenoids causing sleep-disordered breathing. Children who snore loudly, sleep restlessly and are cranky or inattentive during the day often improve a lot after surgery. Adenoids are often removed at the same time. See adenoidectomy.

In adults, it is more often done for repeated infections or a past abscess. Adults usually find recovery a little more painful than children do.

How the surgery is done

Tonsillectomy is done through the mouth under general anaesthesia. There are no outside cuts. It usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Several techniques are used, including cold steel dissection, bipolar cautery and coblation. The technique is chosen based on the patient and the surgeon's judgement. Most patients go home the same day or the next morning.

Recovery after tonsillectomy

This is the part patients and parents ask about most, so here is what to expect:

• Pain: the throat is sore for about 7–10 days in children and 10–14 days in adults. Pain often feels worse around day 3–5, and ear pain is common. Take painkillers regularly, not only when the pain is bad.
• Food: start with cool, soft food such as curd, khichdi, mashed potatoes and ice cream, then move to a normal diet as comfortable. Eating actually helps healing. Avoid very hot, spicy or hard food for the first week or two.
• Fluids: drinking enough water is the most important thing. Dehydration makes pain worse.
• White patches: the tonsil beds look white or yellow for a week or two. This is normal healing, not infection.
• Return to routine: children usually return to school in about a week, and adults to work in 10–14 days.

Bleeding: a small number of patients have bleeding in the first two weeks, most often around day 5–10. Any fresh bleeding from the mouth needs urgent medical attention. Please go to the hospital immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing tonsils lower immunity?

Research has not shown a meaningful effect on overall immunity. The body has many other immune tissues.

Is tonsillectomy safe for adults?

Yes, it is a common operation in adults. Recovery is usually a little longer and more painful than in children.

Can tonsils grow back?

Rarely, a small amount of tonsil tissue can regrow, mostly when surgery is done very early in childhood. It seldom causes problems.

What is the tonsillectomy cost in Gurgaon?

The cost depends on the technique, whether adenoids are removed too, the anaesthesia and the hospital stay. You will get an estimate after the consultation.

Is tonsillectomy covered under insurance or Ayushman card?

Tonsillectomy is usually covered by health insurance when medically needed and is part of PMJAY packages for eligible patients. See the Ayushman card page.

Book a consultation

Call +91-8178774813 or use the appointment page. Related: throat specialist in Gurgaon.