Can tonsils grow back is a serious question among patients with tonsillitis selected for tonsillectomy? This article will resolve this mystery by providing clear details about the growth of tonsils after tonsillectomy.
Tonsils are the lymph nodes present in the posterior region of the mouth. It surrounds the top area of the throat. Lymph nodes filter any antigens or microbes present in the blood to prevent infection in the body. However, sometimes infection of the tonsils may occur, leading to tonsillitis. Some people may go for tonsillectomy to manage the symptoms of tonsillitis. So, the question arises can tonsils grow back even after tonsillectomy?
What is the Normal Growth Pattern of Tonsils?
Tonsils, being lymph nodes, grow at a very steady rate till eight years of age. They attain their peak size at this point. Usually, they attain 200% growth in late childhood. After this point, they begin to shrink and almost disappear as puberty reaches.
Why Does My Child Have Recurrent Tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils due to any bacterial or viral infection. Group A streptococcus is the leading cause to induce tonsillitis in young children. Whereas, Epstein Barr virus, or EBV causes mononucleosis and is the leading cause of tonsillitis due to viral etiology. Tonsillitis is usually caused by microbes and can easily spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, playing with infected toys, and sharing drinks or food. These microbes can easily transmit to children in daycare, schools, and even at home.
During the acute stage of infections, tonsils enlarge and even stay enlarged after the infection stage is over. Enlarged tonsils can cause multiple problems in younger children. Due to the large size of the tonsils, it can cause multiple problems like snoring and different respiratory tract problems. If your child is suffering from recurrent infections like seven to eight times per year, it is important to consult with your doctor.
What Are the Symptoms of Tonsillitis?
If tonsillitis exhibits the following symptoms, it is highly recommended to visit your doctor.
- 5 to 8 tonsil infections per year
- Recurrent peritonsillar abscess
- Disordered breathing during sleep or sleep apnoea
- Unilateral or bilateral tonsillar hypertrophy
What is the Common Cause for the Regrowth of Tonsils After Tonsillectomy?
Tonsillectomy is the surgical procedure to remove the pathological tonsils. This surgical procedure includes the complete removal of the tonsils. However, some remnants of the tonsils may be left behind. These remnants have the potential to regenerate and regrow partial tonsils. Even a small amount of leftover tissue can cause the tonsils to grow back. Though, it is quite rare. Typically, tonsils grow partially, not completely like in a normal adult.
Tonsillar tissue regrowth is usually common among patients with partial tonsillectomy, a diet abundant in sugar, and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. Moreover, tonsillar regrowth is typically age-related and occurs commonly in individuals older than 7 years.
What are the symptoms of regrowth of tonsils?
Tonsils are usually oval-shaped tissue pads present at the back of the throat. If you were thinking that you will never get strep throat after removing the tonsils, you may panic if you get strep throat after tonsillectomy. Studies show a significant reduction in the frequency of infections among people who have undergone tonsillectomy. But, it is also normal to get strep throat even after tonsillectomy. Just because you get strep throat doesn’t indicate that your tonsils have grown back.
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In contrast, if you observe any visible bumps at the anatomical location of tonsils, there may be a slight chance of regrowth of tonsils. It is quite rare and doesn’t cause any problems. But, if you feel any symptoms of infection or swollen lymph nodes just like your previous tonsils, you may need to visit your doctor to consult about the regrowth of tonsils.
Can We Still Get a Sore Throat After Removing Tonsils?
Tonsillectomy reduces the frequency of throat infections. However, you still can get a throat infection after removing tonsils. About 95 percent of people who underwent tonsillectomy stated that they got rid of a throat infection after the removal. Only 5 percent of people may suffer from throat infections. So, if you get a sore throat after tonsillectomy, it is normal and not of concern.
Allergies, cold, dry air, or smoke are the trigger factors to induce sore throat even after tonsillectomy.
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Is There Any Risk of Removing Tonsils?
Tonsils are the lymph nodes and shrink as the adulthood stage arrives. Removing tonsils doesn’t affect you at all. Enlarged tonsils can cause multiple problems in people and make you more prone to strep throat. Your body will work normally even if tonsils are removed.
Who is at Increased Risk of Tonsil Regrowth?
Tonsil regrowth is quite rare after tonsillectomy. However, different studies suggest that some people may experience tonsil regrowth more commonly than others if:
- Tonsils removed at a very young age before completing a full growth surge
- You go for tonsillectomy rather than tonsillectomy. Tonsillotomy is also a surgical procedure but only removes the infected portion of the tonsils and leaves behind a thin normal layer.
- You are frequently experiencing allergies or upper respiratory tract infections.
- You have a history of acute tonsillitis before going for tonsillectomy. Acute phases of tonsillitis have a greater tendency to regrow tonsils. So, special care is needed to remove tonsils if you have acute tonsillitis.
Is There Any Treatment for the Regrowth of Tonsils?
Tonsils regrowing back are usually infectious and may require retreatment. Regrown tonsils not exhibiting any signs of infection typically don’t require any active treatment. Your doctor may suggest empirical antibiotics if you suffer from strep throat or any other bacterial infections. Enlarged tonsils can be managed by steroids. Steroids help to shrink tonsils and avoid any problems associated with increased size.
If the regrowth of the tonsil is much larger on one side, you must visit your healthcare provider to check for any signs of malignancy. Your doctor will not suggest another tonsillectomy unless he suspects tonsillar malignancy, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, recurrent infections, or your sleep apnoea is back.
Conclusion
Patients suffering from recurrent tonsillitis usually require treatment in the form of tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the infected or enlarged tonsil to get rid of the root cause of recurrent infections. People usually worry about the regrowth of the tonsils after tonsillectomy. Tonsils may grow back after tonsillectomy due to any leftover tonsil tissue. A tiny amount of tonsil has the potential to regrow back to induce a full-fledged infectious stage. It is quite a rare occurrence. However, if there is no sign of infection in regrown tonsils, you need not worry about this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How common is it to regrow tonsils after tonsillectomy?
Tonsils or adenoids have a very minor occurrence to grow back after their complete removal. It does not happen in a normal practice. However, if you suspect any bump at the location of tonsils, you should visit your surgeon to determine what’s going on.
Can I suffer from tonsillitis after the removal of tonsils?
You can get cold, sore throat, or any other throat infections after tonsillectomy. But, tonsillitis is typically associated with tonsils. So, you won’t get tonsillitis after tonsillectomy until you suspect the regrowth of tonsils.
What are the other methods to cure tonsils permanently?
Besides tonsillectomy, lasers, radio waves, and ultrasonic energy, electrocautery is the modern-era technology to remove enlarged tonsils.
