Intracellular tonsillectomy

[TracyRee]

We've decided to go ahead with a t&a for my 6 yo pandas son. The ent we saw today prefers intracellular tonsillectomies. The concern is that this method leaves some tonsil tissue behind.

 

I'm debating on asking him to do the more common method. Thoughts?

[kimballot]

We've decided to go ahead with a t&a for my 6 yo pandas son. The ent we saw today prefers intracellular tonsillectomies. The concern is that this method leaves some tonsil tissue behind.

 

I'm debating on asking him to do the more common method. Thoughts?

 

I've heard of intracellular strep... but I've not heard of an intracellular tonsillectomy. Could you tell us more about this procedure?

 

oops - OK - I found intracapsular tonsillectomy while googling. Still - this was the first time I've seen this. Here is an article that discusses some of the pros and cons... http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUM/is_8_83/ai_n6200960/

Edited June 21, 2011 by kimballot

[TracyRee]

Arg, stinking autocorrect. I should reread what I typed. Yes, it's intracapsular tonsillectomy.

 

I'm torn

 

We've decided to go ahead with a t&a for my 6 yo pandas son. The ent we saw today prefers intracellular tonsillectomies. The concern is that this method leaves some tonsil tissue behind.

 

I'm debating on asking him to do the more common method. Thoughts?

 

I've heard of intracellular strep... but I've not heard of an intracellular tonsillectomy. Could you tell us more about this procedure?

 

oops - OK - I found intracapsular tonsillectomy while googling. Still - this was the first time I've seen this. Here is an article that discusses some of the pros and cons... http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BUM/is_8_83/ai_n6200960/

[airial95]

We have not opted for the T&A yet - partially because half of our strep problem is of the impetigo variety, which wouldn't be really affected by the surgery (but we have, and continue to consider it anyway.)

 

After reading about the advantages and disadvantages...I think I would opt for the traditional procedure. I would hate the idea of my kid having a longer recovery and more pain, however, how many folks here have gotten the T&A only to discover that's where the strep had been hiding all along and the tonsils were totally infected with it (even with negative cultures and titres). I would worry that if that were the case with my child, leaving even a little bit of tissue wouldn't really serve the purpose of the procedure - as the infection could still be hiding out in the remaining tissue.

 

And while what I read said that it was only a 0.56% chance - regrowth of the tonsils is possible. Personally - my kid is probably the weirdo that this would happen too making the whole procedure moot.

 

Just my two cents - you have to do what you would feel most comfortable with for your childen.

[TracyRee]

Thanks all. We've decided to go with the intracapsular. I found a few studies that found that there is no higher rate of reinfection for intracapsular. Traditional tonsillectomy removes 98% of the tonsils, the intracapsular removes 95%. Our ent thinks the difference is negligible and going back in isms removing more is an opt in for the future (hopefully won't be needed).

 

We have not opted for the T&A yet - partially because half of our strep problem is of the impetigo variety, which wouldn't be really affected by the surgery (but we have, and continue to consider it anyway.)

 

After reading about the advantages and disadvantages...I think I would opt for the traditional procedure. I would hate the idea of my kid having a longer recovery and more pain, however, how many folks here have gotten the T&A only to discover that's where the strep had been hiding all along and the tonsils were totally infected with it (even with negative cultures and titres). I would worry that if that were the case with my child, leaving even a little bit of tissue wouldn't really serve the purpose of the procedure - as the infection could still be hiding out in the remaining tissue.

 

And while what I read said that it was only a 0.56% chance - regrowth of the tonsils is possible. Personally - my kid is probably the weirdo that this would happen too making the whole procedure moot.

 

Just my two cents - you have to do what you would feel most comfortable with for your childen.

[kimballot]

Thanks for letting us know! If you could - please post updates and let us know how your son does. I hope it is a speedier recovery than traditional with good results for your son!