Tonsillectomy in Kids: Coblation Intracapsular Technique, Recovery & Risks

Board-certified ENT Dr. Ashley Agan explains pediatric tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy), including what tonsils/adenoids are, why they’re removed, and what families should expect. The most common reason for surgery is snoring and sleep-disordered breathing/obstructive sleep apnea from enlarged tonsils and adenoids, with symptoms like loud snoring, mouth breathing, pauses in breathing, extended-neck sleeping, daytime irritability/hyperactivity, and bedwetting. She describes evaluation including exam and nasal endoscopy to assess adenoids and nasal inflammation. Dr. Agan contrasts traditional tonsillectomy with coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy, which preserves the capsule to reduce pain and has a lower bleeding risk (about 0.5% vs 2–3%). She outlines day-of-surgery steps, outpatient vs overnight criteria (under age 3, severe OSA, comorbidities), anesthesia/fasting, typical recovery, pain control options (celecoxib plus Tylenol or alternating Tylenol/Motrin), diet/hydration guidance, and warning signs like bleeding and dehydration. 00:00 Tonsillectomy Overview 00:30 Tonsils and Adenoids 01:47 Snoring and Sleep Apnea 03:39 Exam and Endoscopy 05:04 Modern Coblation Technique 08:36 Surgery Day Walkthrough 12:17 Procedure Step by Step 13:39 Pain Control and Diet 17:59 Bleeding and Dehydration Risks 20:36 Final Wrap Up