We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Coblation Tonsillectomy?

By Dulce Corazon
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 18,576
Share

The term coblation comes from the words controlled ablation or removal. Coblation tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure performed to completely or partially remove the tonsils using radiofrequency radiation, provided by a pen-like device known as ablation wand. With the use of coblation tonsillectomy, the tonsils are safely removed without causing much damage to the neighboring tissues. It is usually performed in the operating room with the patient under general anesthesia in a 30-45 minute procedure.

The tonsils are two lymphoid tissues producing white blood cells, called lymphocytes, and are found at the back of the throat. They are part of the body's immune system and are responsible for filtering out germs which enter the body through the mouth and nose. In tonsillitis, when the tonsils are infected, they can be seen as enlarged red tissues on each side of the back of the throat. Factors that may indicate the need for a coblation tonsillectomy or other tonsillectomy procedure include difficulty breathing or swallowing due to enlarged tonsils, frequently occurring sore throats often causing throat pain, and sleep apnea, a disorder where an individual experiences pauses or shallow breathing during sleep.

Otolaryngologists, also called ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians, are doctors who specialize in the care and treatment of patients with disorders affecting the ears, nose, throat, and other structures in the neck and head area. ENT physicians are trained and licensed surgeons who are qualified to perform tonsillectomy procedures. Removal of the tonsils may involve a traditional tonsillectomy, wherein the tissues are removed by cutting and burning using electrocautery, or coblation tonsillectomy, which removes the tonsils with the use of radiofrequency energy.

Performing a coblation tonsillectomy to remove the tonsils generally has fewer side effects when compared with the traditional tonsillectomy procedure. Side effects such as pain and the possibility of infection are usually expected with both procedures. There are, however, significantly lower levels of pain after coblation tonsillectomy, resulting in less frequent use of pain medications or narcotics.

Bleeding and damage to neighboring tissues are also less common in a coblation tonsillectomy, resulting in faster healing. Incidences of nausea and dehydration after surgery are significantly reduced as well. Many patients heal and recover faster, allowing them to resume their normal eating patterns and activities usually after three days as compared to the traditional tonsillectomy, which may take some patients a week after surgery to return to their normal diet.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-coblation-tonsillectomy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.