Is Laser Tonsil Ablation Effective?

When children have their tonsils out, they celebrate with ice cream and popsicles and they’re back up and about in no time. It’s a relatively minor – and common – procedure for most children. Adults who must have their tonsils removed, however, suffer a great deal more discomfort and often more complications than children. Adults have higher rates of infection, the procedure tends to take longer, it takes longer for adults to heal from a tonsillectomy, and there tend to be more complications during and after the surgery. For these reasons, if you are an adult in need of having your tonsils removed, laser tonsil ablation may be a more effective – and safer – option. Because removal of tonsils can be a critical step in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, this is an important procedure for many adults.

What Is Laser Tonsil Ablation?

Instead of surgical removal, in which the surgeon incises the tonsils through the use of a scalpel, in a laser tonsil ablation procedure, the tonsils are reduced as much as possible through the use of a laser than burns away layers of the tonsils while at the same time cauterizing the wound to prevent excessive bleeding. It is incredibly effective for reducing obstruction in apnea patients and the recover time required after laser tonsil ablation is quite a bit shorter.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Benefit from Laster Tonsil Ablation

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea as a result of large tonsils, laser tonsil ablation may be the most appropriate – and safest – treatment. It is also an appropriate solution for adults who suffer from chronic tonsil infections or tonsil stones.

If you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, heavy snoring, or chronic tonsil infections and believe you may benefit from laser-assisted tonsil ablation, the first step is to schedule an evaluation with an experienced ear, nose and throat doctor. Board certified physicians with New York ENT have extensive experience treating a variety of throat-related conditions. Fill out the form on this page or call our office at 212-873-6036 to schedule an appointment today.