Tonsillectomy

mxylplik2 · Post by **mxylplik2** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:58 am

I've read a bunch of posts of about the low success rate of UPPP - but what about a plain old tonsillectomy to address OSA? I've been told by several ENTs and a pulmonary doctor that I have HUGE tonsils - is there a reason not to try that and if that doesn't work, resort back to the CPAP? Thanks.

winknblinknnod · Post by **winknblinknnod** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:10 am

I have the same problem but at age 49 that surgery can be more problematic than say for a child, and I've heard about people ending up on prolonged resperatro care... I opted for Cpap and It's working without the worry of surgery.

mxylplik2 · Post by **mxylplik2** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 7:17 am

I also should include removal of adneoid as well.

I have not heard much about the "cons" of the T&A. Its worth a shot if there are low negatives (as opposed to some of the cons I've read about UPPP) in attempting to get off the tube for good. Thoughts?

ladytonya · Post by **ladytonya** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 11:43 am

I have huge tonsils and always have. I have heard that once you are an adult, the removal of tonsils and adenoids isn't as simple as when you are a child and not fully grown. Plus, the surgery is very painful and as someone said already can have complications and result in a lengthy hospital stay.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 12:32 pm

I'm not aware of any cases where T&A surgery resulted in getting off CPAP and curing OSA.

mxylplik2 · Post by **mxylplik2** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:45 pm

Guest, do you mean through a review of a lot of posts on this site and/ or through discussions with CPAP users?

GoodKnight · Post by **GoodKnight** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:06 pm

mxylplik2,

I have a friend that had a tonsillectomy and was cured of sleep apnea and no longer needs CPAP.

Also, I recommend you research the UPPP flap procedure which has a higher rate of success with lower complications than a straight UPPP.

techno-snoreus · Post by **techno-snoreus** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:11 pm

I had my tonsils removed when I was 24. It was extremely painful and my throat did not feel right for over a year. I would not recommend it to anyone.

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