Tonsillectomy
A tonsillectomy is a procedure that involves removing the tonsils, which are the two oval-shaped pads of tissue located in the back of the throat.
Who is a Candidate?
A tonsillectomy may be recommended for patients who have a sleep-related disorder that is impacting their ability to breathe, as well as for patients diagnosed with tonsillitis who have not responded to other treatments. A tonsillectomy may also help alleviate symptoms related to enlarged tonsils and rare diseases of the tonsils.
Tonsils produce disease-fighting white blood cells that help keep the body healthy. Because the tonsils are the immune system’s first line of defense against viruses and bacteria that enter the mouth, they are especially vulnerable to infection and inflammation.
A tonsillectomy may help prevent frequent, recurring episodes of tonsillitis. Frequent may be defined as:
- More than seven episodes in one year
- More than five episodes per year, two years in a row
- More than three episodes per year, three years in a row
How to Prepare for a Tonsillectomy
For at least two weeks before the procedure, patients should avoid taking aspirin or other medications containing aspirin. Patients should abstain from eating and drinking after midnight before the day of the surgery. Recovery time can range from 10 days to two weeks. Compared to children, adults may need more time to recover.
Patients should ask their doctor the following questions to learn more about the procedure:
before surgery?
the hospital?
am I allowed to take?
make to my diet and activities
during recovery?
What to Expect During the Procedure
The patient will be under general anesthesia and will not feel any pain during the surgery. The surgeon may use a blade (scalpel) or a specialized surgical tool that uses heat or high-energy heat or sound waves to remove or destroy the tonsils.
After the procedure, patients may experience pain in the throat, ears, jaw and or neck. To reduce pain and support recovery, patients should do the following:
The risks of tonsillectomy include:
- Negative reaction to anesthetics, such as headache, vomiting, nausea, muscle soreness
- Swelling of the tongue and soft palate can lead to breathing problems
- Bleeding during the procedure
- Bleeding after surgery
- Infection