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Tonsil Procedures

Unfortunately, there are times when modern drug therapies cannot resolve infections and other problems with your tonsils. Most cases of tonsil troubles occur in children and can be as mild as a sore throat to a severe case of tonsillitis, which causes the throat to swell and makes it difficult to swallow and breathe. A fever is usually accompanied with tonsillitis. When tonsils are repeatedly infected, it is common for a surgeon to make the decision to remove them. The procedure is called a tonsillectomy.

  1. Surgery Procedure

    • The tonsillectomy is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. The procedure is common and, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, has been performed since 30 AD. To prepare for the surgery, an intravenous line is run into the patient's arm to deliver necessary antibiotics and fluids and the patient is mildly sedated prior to receiving the general anesthetic. Once the patient is asleep, the surgeon and his team of assistants can remove the affected tonsil(s). Once the tonsils are removed, the surgeon will cauterize remaining tissue together to help stop any bleeding.

    After the Surgery

    • After the surgery is complete, the patient is taken to the recovery room until the anesthesia wears off. He will also be monitored for any bleeding or other complications from the surgery. Patients are asked to lay on their side, usually without pillows to keep any bleeding to a minimum. Once the patient has been stabilized, he is taken to a room for further monitoring. After one to three hours, the nurse offers ice chips and fluids before allowing the patient to eat anything. The normal length of the hospital stay for a tonsillectomy is one day.

    Going Home

    • Once patients are released from the hospital, they are given instructions on how to care for the surgery site, as well as a list of things they should not do until they are fully healed. Among these things is avoiding heavy exercise, such as weight lifting or aerobics, and only eating soft, easy-to-swallow foods. Some foods may irritate the throat or become lodged in the wound site. Soft foods, such as ice cream, soups and oatmeal, are preferred during the recovery period. The patient should be able to resume normal eating habits after two weeks.

    Side Effects and Complications

    • The most common complaint after a tonsillectomy is--ironically--a sore throat. This minor symptom may last up to a week following the procedure. Other side effects from the surgery may be trouble swallowing and minor swelling around the surgical site. These symptoms usually subside within a day or two after the surgery. The major complication that occurs as the result of a tonsillectomy is bleeding. There are many blood vessels in the area where the tonsils are removed and, even with cauterizing, bleeding can occur. Patients, who carefully follow the physician's instructions, should not experience severe bleeding. Keep in mind that if heavy bleeding occurs, the doctor should be contacted immediately.

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