Enlarged tonsils are one of the leading causes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. This condition occurs when the tonsils become enlarged and partially block the airway, disrupting normal airflow during sleep. As a result, children may experience symptoms such as loud snoring, restless sleep, and repeated episodes of temporary breathing pauses, known as sleep apnea.
This was the case for Jevon, a 6-year-old boy who had been snoring almost every night for nearly a year. His parents also noticed that he occasionally stopped breathing while sleeping. After being evaluated at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, doctors found that his enlarged tonsils were obstructing part of his airway. To address the condition, Jevon underwent Plasma Coblation surgery performed by dr. Abdillah Hasbi Assadyk, Sp.ENT. Just a few hours after the procedure, he was cheerful again, and on his very first night after surgery, he slept soundly without snoring.
“We had visited several doctors before, but we were hesitant because we thought the entire tonsils would be removed. My husband later sent me information about Plasma Coblation, and after reading about it, I learned that only the problematic part of the tonsils is removed while some healthy tissue is preserved. That made us feel confident about the surgery. Last night, he slept without snoring for the first time and didn’t wake up repeatedly like he used to,” said Jevon’s mother.
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What We Thought Was Just Snoring Turned Out to Be Enlarged Tonsils Blocking the Airway
For nearly a year, Jevon had been snoring every night while sleeping. Over time, his parents became increasingly concerned after noticing that he occasionally stopped breathing during sleep, prompting them to seek further medical evaluation.
After consulting dr. Abdillah Hasbi Assadyk, Sp.ENT at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, they learned that Jevon’s enlarged tonsils had partially blocked his airway. This was identified as the main cause of his snoring and sleep apnea, and surgery using Plasma Coblation was recommended.
Initially, Jevon’s parents were worried because he was only six years old. However, after learning that Plasma Coblation removes only the problematic tonsil tissue while preserving part of the healthy tonsil, they decided to proceed with the surgery.
The procedure went smoothly, and Jevon recovered remarkably quickly. Within just a few hours after surgery, he was smiling and active again. That very night, he slept peacefully without snoring or experiencing breathing interruptions.
“The surgery started at 2 p.m., and by 4 p.m. he was already out of the operating room. Around 4:30 p.m. he was back in his hospital room, and by 6 or 7 p.m. he was already cheerful. The next day, he was well enough to go home,” his mother shared.
What Is Plasma Coblation and What Are Its Benefits?
Plasma Coblation is a modern tonsil surgery technique that uses radiofrequency energy combined with a saline solution to generate plasma, allowing surgeons to remove tonsil tissue with high precision.
Unlike conventional surgical methods that rely on high temperatures, Plasma Coblation operates at a much lower temperature, helping minimize damage to the surrounding healthy tissue.
During the procedure, surgeons are also able to preserve a small portion of healthy tonsil tissue, which may help reduce postoperative pain and bleeding while maintaining part of the tonsils’ natural immune function.
A study titled “Coblation versus Cold Dissection in Paediatric Tonsillectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” reported several potential advantages of Plasma Coblation in pediatric patients, including:
- Reduced postoperative pain
- Less bleeding during surgery
- Shorter operating time compared with conventional tonsillectomy techniques
Signs and Symptoms of Tonsillitis You Should Watch For
The symptoms of tonsillitis often resemble those of the common cold or flu. When the tonsils become inflamed, they appear red and swollen.
Both children and adults may experience symptoms such as:
- Sore throat
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Fever
- Cough
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Ear pain
- Fatigue or weakness
In more severe cases, symptoms may also include:
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes in the neck
- White patches or pus-filled spots on the tonsils
- Bad breath
If your child experiences any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical evaluation promptly.
Consult dr. Abdillah for Your Child’s Tonsil Problems at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
If your child frequently suffers from tonsillitis, snores during sleep, or shows signs of sleep apnea, consider consulting dr. Abdillah Hasbi Assadyk, Sp.ENT at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.
Dr. Abdillah specializes in the treatment of various ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions, including Plasma Coblation for tonsillitis and enlarged adenoids. This advanced technique offers precise tissue removal while minimizing thermal damage to surrounding tissues.
He also provides treatment for other ENT conditions, including Balloon Sinuplasty for chronic sinusitis and Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) therapy for sleep apnea.
His expertise is supported by intensive training in Italy under Prof. Lino Businco, a renowned ENT specialist with extensive experience in managing complex ENT disorders. Through this international training, dr. Abdillah brings comprehensive and modern ENT care to both pediatric and adult patients in Indonesia.
Practice Schedule
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
To make your visit more convenient, you can contact Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri via WhatsApp Chat, Book Appointment, or download the Care Dokter app from Google Play or the App Store to book appointments, monitor queue numbers, and access additional information.
The information provided on this page is intended for educational purposes only and does not represent the full scope of medical services that may be performed by each physician. To receive treatment tailored to your medical condition, we recommend consulting the relevant specialist directly.
For further information, please contact our call center at 0811-1900-2000.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Enlarged Tonsils (Tonsillar Hypertrophy). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/enlarged-tonsils
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The Procedure | Coblation for Tonsillectomy. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/HTG96/chapter/2-the-procedure
- Abdelhamid AO, ElAnwar MW, Madney YM, et al. Coblation versus Cold Dissection in Paediatric Tonsillectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32114992/
- NHS. Tonsillitis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tonsillitis/