Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

The surgery to remove the tonsils that are located at the posterior part of the throat is called tonsillectomy. These oval glands are two in number and placed one on each side.It was a common procedure in earlier times. Now it is performed for breathing trouble or if the patient suffers from chronic tonsillitis. A tonsillectomy surgery may also be requiredfor treatment of breathing and other such problems related to swollen tonsils and in treatment of rare diseases of tonsils.



Indications for tonsillectomy

1. persistent or repeated tonsillitis or strep throat infections
2. swollen tonsils causing difficulty in breathing, especially during sleep
3. difficulty while eating meat or chewing foods
4. Difficulty in getting sleep that affects the child’s routine activities as well
5. obstructive sleep apnea and snoring – breathing stops for a few seconds while sleeping due to enlarged tonsils that block the airway partially

Contraindications for tonsillectomy

1. Bleeding tendency or disorders
2. uncontrolled or chronic medical illness
3. Poor anesthetic risk
4. Anemia
5. Acute infection

Pre surgery preparation

Tests to do before surgery

1. Blood tests - serum electrolytes, complete blood count, blood clotting factors
2. A physical examination and thorough medical history

Inform your doctor about

1. drugs patient is taking
2. Medicines, herbs, drugs or vitamins patientis taking without prescription

During few days prior to surgery:

1. 10 days before surgery, usually doctor asks to stop taking medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, warfarin and other such medications

On the day of the surgery:

1. Patient is usually asked not to be on empty stomach (not to drink or eat anything) for several hours before surgery.
2. Any medicines told by doctor should be taken with a small sip of water

Procedure

During the surgery

1. Tonsillectomy is performed under general anaesthesia and hence patient does not feel any pain.
2. The tonsils are cut with a blade/scalpel.
3. Tonsils may be removed using high energy heat or sound waves with a specialized surgical tool. It destroys tissues and stops bleeding

Post surgery advice / Recovery
Recovery time for a tonsillectomy is usually at least 10 days to two weeks.

During recovery

Pain after tonsillectomy is common and may also be present in ears, neck or jaw.

To reduce pain, aid recovery, and for prevention of complications, you can take the following tests


Medications - Take pain medicines as advised by treating surgeon or physician.

Home care guidelines

1. Drink plenty of fluids post surgery and eat ice pops and water.
2. Eat easy to swallow bland foods. Soft foods that are easy to chew should be considered
3. Avoid eating hard, crunchy or spicy foods.
4. Good bed rest
5. Avoid strenuous activities like running and riding the bike for minimum two weeks. Resume routine activities when you sleep normally and do not require pain medicine

Complications of tonsillectomy

1. The risks for any anesthesia are:
2. Reactions to medications
3. Breathing problems

The risks for any surgery are:

1. Bleeding
2. Infection

Risk related especially to tonsillectomy
1. Rarely, bleeding post surgeryand swallowing or aspiration of that blood
2. Injury to the uvula (soft palate).