Practice News

Tonsil Myths Revealed: National Survey Highlights Misconceptions

A recent Harris Interactive survey shows eight out of ten parents are unaware that enlarged tonsils play a role in serious childhood health problems, including breathing difficulties, slow growth, obesity and even hyperactive behavior. Even more parents—more than 80 percent—did not know that a tonsillectomy is the most effective and common treatment for sleep-disordered breathing. New technology options such as those offered by Carolina Otolaryngology Consultants, PA, can make tonsillectomy less painful—and the recovery quicker—than ever before.

“The survey results support what I find in my practice every day—that most parents are not well educated about the childhood health problems associated with enlarged tonsils, and that cool temperature technology like Coblation makes removing the tonsils less painful for children and allows them to return to normal activity sooner, “said Dr. Michael Crawford, otolaryngologist at Carolina Otolaryngology Consultants, PA.

Coblation, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2001, combines radiofrequency energy with a saline solution, which gently and precisely removes tonsils without damaging healthy surrounding tissue. “At Caroloina Otolaryngology Consultants, PA we have performed Coblation Tonsillectomies with excellent results,” said Dr. Bennis Jarvis. “It is gentler on the patient, and has been shown to reduce medication use and pain following surgery.” “Coblation Tonsillectomy is quickly becoming the new gold standard in care.” added Dr. Crawford.

Carolina Otolaryngology Consultants, PA, with offices in Rocky Mount, Roanoke Rapids and Zebulon has been serving the area for more than 28 years. Its physicians, Drs. Crawford, Jarvis and Hendrix are board certified and specialize in the treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat.

Top Five Misconceptions About Tonsillectomy

Survey done in an educational effort by the American Academy of Otolaryngoloyg-Head and neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) which represents the nations 12,000 Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeons, and ArthroCare Corporation, developer of the patented Coblation technology

Doctors don’t remove tonsils anymore. Approximately 600,000 tonsillectomies are performed each year for children and adults. According to the AAO-HNS, it is the second most common childhood surgery.

Tonsils are mainly removed for sore throats and tonsillitis. 75% percent of tonsillectomies are performed to treat obstructive sleep disorders.

A child will be in pain for up to two weeks after a tonsillectomy. Several studies show that advanced low-temperature technology, called Coblation, reduces pain after surgery compared to older, high temperature technology such as electrocautery.

Children can only eat ice cream after a tonsillectomy. Low temperature technology is allowing children to return to a normal diet 3 times faster on average when compared to hot technology such as electrocautery.