Tonsillectomy in Sharjah

What is tonsillectomy?

Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of both palatine tonsils, the oval pads of lymphoid tissue that sit on either side of the throat behind the tongue. The tonsils help the immune system in early childhood, and the body has plenty of other lymphoid tissue that carries on this work once they are removed, so the immune system stays well protected.

The operation is carried out entirely through the open mouth, which means there is no cut on the face or neck. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, tonsillectomy is performed by the ENT surgeon as a planned day-case procedure, with an anaesthetist looking after you or your child throughout. When enlarged adenoids also contribute to blocked breathing, the two are often removed in the same operation; see adenoid removal.

Who needs it

Tonsillectomy is considered in three main situations:

• Recurrent tonsillitis. Throat infections that keep returning, are severe enough to disrupt school or work, and are well documented over time. A diary of each episode, with dates, fever, days missed and any doctor visits, gives the surgeon the clearest picture.
• Obstructed breathing during sleep in children. Large tonsils can narrow the airway at night, causing loud snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, bed-wetting and daytime tiredness or irritability. Removing them opens the airway. The wider picture of snoring is covered under snoring and sleep apnoea and paediatric ENT.
• Quinsy. A quinsy is a collection of pus beside the tonsil that causes severe one-sided throat pain, difficulty opening the mouth and a muffled voice. After a quinsy, especially a repeat one, removing the tonsils is often recommended.

The alternatives are watchful waiting and treating each episode as it comes, usually with antibiotics when the infection is bacterial. Many children grow out of frequent tonsillitis, so waiting is a reasonable choice when episodes are becoming milder or less frequent. The decision is shared: your surgeon examines the throat, reviews the pattern of infections or sleep symptoms, and weighs the expected benefit against recovery and risks. A home sleep study may be arranged when the sleep picture needs clarifying.

What happens

Tonsillectomy is done under general anaesthetic, so you or your child are fully asleep. The anaesthetist meets you beforehand to go through the plan; see general anaesthesia and, for children, paediatric anaesthesia. Parents can usually stay with a child until they fall asleep.

With the mouth held gently open, the surgeon separates each tonsil from the muscle beneath it and removes it, then controls bleeding from the tonsil bed. Stitches are rarely needed; the raw areas heal on their own from the edges inwards.

After waking, you rest in the recovery area while the team checks for bleeding, gives pain relief and makes sure you can drink. Most people go home the same day once they are drinking well and comfortable, and some are kept overnight for observation, particularly young children or those with sleep apnoea.

Preparing for it

A pre-operative assessment confirms fitness for the anaesthetic. Tell the team about any bleeding tendency in you or your family, easy bruising or heavy nosebleeds, and every medicine you take, including blood thinners, herbal remedies and supplements, as some affect bleeding and may need pausing.

Surgery is best planned when the throat is free of active infection. If tonsillitis flares shortly before the date, let the team know so they can review the timing. You will be given clear fasting instructions for food and drink before the anaesthetic.

For children, explain the operation simply and honestly, and pack a favourite toy or blanket. At home, stock soft foods, ice lollies and plenty of drinks, and plan for an adult to stay at home with your child throughout recovery. If the operation falls during Ramadan, discuss timing with the surgeon, since steady fluids and regular pain relief matter during recovery.

Afterwards

Throat pain is expected and often increases for several days before it starts to improve. Pain in the ears is very common too; it is referred pain from the throat, shared through the same nerves, and it settles with the throat. White or yellow patches in the throat are the normal healing layer over the tonsil beds and a sign of healing rather than infection.

Regular pain relief, taken on time rather than when pain peaks, makes eating and drinking easier. Eating normal food, including soft and firmer textures, helps the throat heal and keeps the healing areas clean. Drinking plenty is essential, and in the UAE summer heat, fluid needs rise, so offer children drinks often and keep them in cool indoor spaces. A child who keeps drinking is on track. Plan to stay close to home, away from crowds and swimming pools, and ask the surgeon when school, work and flying are suitable for you.

Any bleeding from the mouth after tonsillectomy, even a small amount of fresh blood or blood-streaked saliva, means going to the emergency department immediately.

Call the hospital if you or your child are drinking very little, have fever that persists, pass little urine or seem unusually drowsy, or if pain is uncontrolled despite regular pain relief.

Cost and insurance

Most UAE insurance plans cover tonsillectomy when it is medically indicated, and the operation usually needs pre-approval before a date is confirmed. Your record of throat infections, or the sleep assessment findings, forms part of the approval request, so keeping that diary helps. Cover generally includes the surgeon, the anaesthetic and the day-case stay. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.