As someone who kept his tonsils until repeated infections (and heaven knows how many antibiotics) finally compelled me to have them removed at 19, I think I'd opt for the surgery rather than getting them microwaved whenever an infection pops up.
While a relatively minor surgery for children, removing tonsils becomes much more complicated for adults. If a middle-aged patient had tonsil issues, surgery might be too risky. This could be a viable alternative for those patients.
As for heating up tonsils every time you have an infection, it sounds like the atrophy from the heat is relatively permenant.
I have sleep apnea so I have an interest in these types of airway surgeries. My first thought was "Yikes, it's another version of Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)," a method that causes scarring and is of dubious benefit. But it looks like this company's method may seek to avoid scarring altogether.
Comments
I'd rather cut & run
By david_yamada - 5/8/09 - 8:18 am
As someone who kept his tonsils until repeated infections (and heaven knows how many antibiotics) finally compelled me to have them removed at 19, I think I'd opt for the surgery rather than getting them microwaved whenever an infection pops up.
circa 1930s
By MadMax - 5/8/09 - 8:38 am
I seem to recall hearing about X-rays being used in the 1920s to remove tonsils. That also blasted your thyroid. FAIL!
This article suggests they'll use "heating". Perhaps they use non-ionizing radio-frequencies, versus microwave frequencies?
I agree with you about opting for surgery, david_yamada.
By independentminded (not verified) - 5/8/09 - 8:42 am
n/t
Surgery Not Always an Option
By GradStudent - 5/8/09 - 9:08 am
While a relatively minor surgery for children, removing tonsils becomes much more complicated for adults. If a middle-aged patient had tonsil issues, surgery might be too risky. This could be a viable alternative for those patients.
As for heating up tonsils every time you have an infection, it sounds like the atrophy from the heat is relatively permenant.
hate to sound gross but...
By david_yamada - 5/8/09 - 9:33 am
...assuming the zapping process kills off the cells in the tonsils, it means that the zappee has some dead tissue flapping around back there, yes?
I'm imagining the hilarious Steve Martin-Bill Murray dentist scene in "Little Shop of Horrors"....
Good points, GradStudent.
By independentminded (not verified) - 5/8/09 - 10:27 am
n/t
Interesting idea
By dirtywater77 - 5/8/09 - 9:52 am
Here's some more info about the company.
I have sleep apnea so I have an interest in these types of airway surgeries. My first thought was "Yikes, it's another version of Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)," a method that causes scarring and is of dubious benefit. But it looks like this company's method may seek to avoid scarring altogether.