Although you may be familiar with tonsils in the back of your throat, few realize that you also have tonsils tissue on the base/back of your tongue called the lingual (“tongue”) tonsils.
If your lingual tonsils become too enlarged they may cause collapse of the airway at night causing snoring or sleep apnea. Dr. Pasha may consider removing your lingual tonsils if they are determined to be contributing to your snoring or sleep apnea.
Lingual tonsillectomy is performed in the operating room while you are asleep. Oftentimes a lingual tonsillectomy is performed with Palatal (Oropharyngeal) Reconstruction at the same time.
In order to reach the back of the tongue a scope is used to visualize the tongue base through the mouth. Using a newer technique that vibrates the tissue called coblation, the lingual tonsils are reduced. No incisions are required.