Ear, Nose & Throat insights from Mike Dilkes, expert in ENT laser surgery

Tonsil stones and tonsillitis treated with laser tonsillotomy under local anaesthetic spray

Tonsil stones are accumulated food and mouth debris that get stuck inside deep holes in the tonsils. As they rot they become smelly and cause a bad taste. They can also cause a lump sensation, ear pressure symptoms and tonsillitis. I treat them by removing a substantial part of the tonsil using a vapourising laser and local anaesthetic spray.

Laser release of tonsil pus

JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(2):e2148655. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.48655 Quite a good study, although the mean of 4 days before return to work surprised me from the laser group. I perform this procedure very much as a lunchtime operation, with no painkillers being prescribed as they are not needed. And I've done thousands over the last 25 years!

This is a deviation of the nose septum. It causes the feeling of persistent blockage of the nose. It can be corrected with a septoplasty procedure.