The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recommends that children who have three or more tonsillar infections a year undergo a tonsillectomy; the young patient with a sleep disorder should also be a candidate for removal or reduction of the enlarged tonsils.

Dr. Ludwick has performed thousands of tonsillectomies using coblation technology.   Unlike traditional methods, coblation methods use radiofrequency (RF) to remove tissue. RF is a form of energy like radio waves, but with a higher frequency. Coblation-based surgical procedures use RF energy in a precise and controlled manner to remove affected tissue while causing very little harm to healthy tissue. Dr. Ludwick uses coblation technology to minimize post-operative discomfort and intra-operative bleeding.

Adenotonsillar

Hypertrophy

Tonsil and adenoid tissue generally cause problems when they get too large or they become infected on a recurring basis. When done for the right reasons an adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy can help children sleep better, breathe better, and get fewer infections after having their tonsils or adenoids removed. 

We are often asked the role of adenoid or tonsil tissue.  The exact role is not explicitly known.  However, from an ENT perspective they cause:

• Nasal congestion or obstruction
• Recurring ear, throat, and sinus infections
• Snoring
• Obstructive sleep apnea

Tonsil tissue, which sits in the back and to the sides of our throat, is composed of lymphoid tissue.  Adenoid tissue is simply tonsil-like tissue located in the far back of the nose.

If your child suffers from sleep problems, chronic sore throat, tonsillitis, nasal congestion or obstruction, recurring ear, throat, and sinus infections, snoring, or obstructive sleep apnea contact us and let Dr. Ludwick evaluate him or her today.