What is tonsillectomy: procedure to remove the tonsils under general anesthesia, it can be as daycare or on night admission it will take 30-40minutes.
Why does my doctor recommend tonsillectomy?
Your doctor will discuss with you the decision for tonsillectomy and may offer the procedure in case of recurrent infection, airway obstruction, or for diagnosis of malignancy.
Tonsillectomy can be done alone or as apart of other surgery (snoring surgery or adenotonsillectomy in children)
How is tonsillectomy procedure done? It is done through the mouth, no external cuts, by using heat with low temperature (monopolar or bipolar) to control bleeding, sutures may be added to the area of the tonsil after removing it.
Possible complication?
Pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), delay to oral intake, airway obstruction with respiratory compromise a primary or secondary postoperative bleeding.
What to expect after your surgery?
Pain is expected after surgery and may increase in the first 5-10 days
Pain may radiate to your ears
You may notice snoring in the first few days
A white patch may cover the surgical site in the first few weeks
You may notice a strange (foul) smell from the mouth in the first week
You may notice small suture in the throat, it will dissolve spontaneously
Written card with your appointments will be given before you go home.
At Home:
Take your medication on time
(especially pain medication)
Sleep in normal position, you can use a cold towel around the neck for pain
Food on room temp or lower
You can eat a normal diet on the second day & drink lots of fluid (you can adjust your diet as you tolerate)
Drink fluid mainly after meals, before sleep and early morning
Avoid spicy food and hard sharp food (as nuts and chips)
You can drive normally unless you feel dizzy and unsteady
Avoid heavy exercise in the first 2 weeks
Avoid contact with a patient having flue
Avoid traveling for 2 weeks
** when to come to the emergency: (Hamad General Hospital)
spitting or vomiting blood go IMMEDIATELY to HAMAD emergency
Video:
