Answer:

Tonsils are large lymphatic tissues located on both sides of the oropharynx. They play an immune role, fighting pathogens that enter the body through the nose and mouth. The tonsils' crypt-like structure allows dust and food particles to easily adhere and accumulate, leading to prolonged inflammation and the formation of pus, known as chronic tonsillitis.

Vocal cord polyps are benign growths on the vocal cords, varying in size and possibly having a stalk or being sessile. Common symptoms include voice changes, hoarseness, and a sore throat.

Given your diagnosis of vocal cord polyps, this is likely the primary cause of your prolonged hoarseness. Chronic tonsillitis, meanwhile, acts as an aggravating factor, making your symptoms more severe and persistent. For treatment, a doctor needs to perform an endoscopy to assess the extent of the vocal cord polyp. If the polyp is small, patients should rest their voice, avoid speaking loudly, and attend regular follow-up appointments to prevent the condition from worsening.

If a large polyp does not respond to medical treatment and causes prolonged hoarseness or voice loss, doctors will recommend surgical removal. The Karl Storz endoscopic system assists surgeons in dissecting the polyp, preserving the vocal cords, and controlling local bleeding, helping patients regain their voice.

Doctor Phuong performs a laryngoscopy on a patient. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

During the first week after surgery, patients should avoid speaking extensively. From the second week onwards, they can speak softly and gently. Two to four weeks post-surgery, the vocal cords begin to recover noticeably, and the voice can return to normal.

Chronic tonsillitis is typically treated with medication combined with regular throat hygiene and saltwater gargles to remove pus and reduce recurrence. If it recurs frequently, fails to respond to medical treatment, or leads to complications such as bad breath, otitis media (middle ear infection), or sinusitis, a doctor will recommend tonsillectomy.

You should limit excessive and continuous talking. Instead, rest your voice for five to ten minutes before speaking again. Drink plenty of water to soothe your larynx, and avoid alcohol and tobacco to protect your vocal cords and throat.

Master, Doctor, Level I Specialist Pham Thi Phuong

Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat

Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City