Many people use the terms tonsillitis, strep throat and sore throat interchangeably. It affects the oval clumps of tissue located at the back and to the sides of the throat which are called tonsils. The tonsils contain infection-fighting cells and antibodies and play an important role in intercepting germs from the nose and throat. Tonsillitis or sore throat is sometimes caused by bacteria, the most frequently found is the streptococcus or strep.
In my case, I almost get tonsillitis once or twice a month. Although I don't have high fever, my throat is very painful with difficulty in swallowing. I take prescribed antibiotics for rapid treatment. Antibiotics work together with the normal, healthy infection-fighting immune system to successfully kill bacteria like strep. It does not lower the body's immune system as most believe. I have made myself used to seeing my doctor every month with this complaint, however, in my recent sore throat, I noticed a grayish-white coating (I was told it was exudate) on the surface of my red tonsils. I was referred a throat specialist.
The doctor asked me to have an ASO-Titer (Anti-Streptolysin O Titer) test. The test is used to detect infection by Group A Streptococcus. It demonstrates the presence of Anti-Streptolysin O which is the neutralizing antibody produced after infection with these organisms. The test result showed that I had twice against the normal reference value. Based on his assessment, I need to undergo tonsillectomy, the surgical removal of tonsils. The second doctor I consulted recommended the same.
Some believe, there is no evidence to support a significant role of the tonsils in immunity. Studies have shown that children who must have their tonsils removed suffer no loss. The popular myth that they act as filters to bacteria is untrue.
After a week of consultation, I finally decided to have them removed. I had some laboratory tests done, complete blood count (CBC), bleeding and clotting time (BT/CT), ECG and chest x-ray among others. I took antibiotics a week before the operation.
I checked in at University of Santo Tomas Hospital, about two kilometers from our residence, at 7pm with all my papers and forms, including the preoperative orders and laboratory results. The resident physician briefed me of the surgical procedure that is to be done.
He said, the surgeon will use a special instrument to cut the tissue between the tonsils and the throat. When the tissue has been dissected, the tonsils are removed. The surrounding blood vessels are then cauterized (sealed) to control bleeding. The doctor will remove the tonsils through the mouth; there will be no external incisions.
The next day, after taking a shower, I was brought to the operating room on a stretcher. It was my first time to undergo an operation. The operating room was cold. I looked around and noticed some medical staff preparing the instruments. A nurse tied a belt around my thighs and inserted a rest extension at 45 degrees for my arms. She placed three bottons at my back, right at point where your hand can extend, left and right and one on the side, with cords connected to a computer. She also placed an auto-blood pressure meter on my right arm and another instrument on my left point finger. At 7:15 the anaesthesiologist arrived humming, probably her favorite lullaby. The surgeon came as she started an intravenous infusion line (IV) on my left hand. She said, the anaesthesia will pass through my nose so she put a few drops of liquid on my nostrils. After a while, she gave me an intravenous medication that made me sleep.
The whole procedure lasted for 60 minutes.
I remained in the recovery room for about two hours. I was still under the anaesthetic effects when I found myself inside my room with an ice pack on my neck. My head was kept elevated above the heart, to minimize edema and swelling. I was still with an IV until the next day because I had difficulty in swallowing. It was painful during the first four days. Imagine, I lost five pounds over seven days!
As of this writing, I am still in the process of healing. Probably, I will make an addendum to this article on the effects of tonsillectomy on my health.
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