Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure performed to treat recurring cases of tonsillitis (inflammation or infection of the tonsils) or a tonsillar abscess (severe infection). As shown here, the surgeon uses a scalpel to excise, or cut away, each tonsil from the back of the throat. Forceps are used both to lend precision to the use of the scalpel and to remove the tonsils once they have been excised. The patient is placed under general anesthesia at the beginning of the operation.

Appears in these articles:

Surgery; Tonsil

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