Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
A tonsillectomy is a surgery to remove the (palatine) tonsils and is often done for either frequent throat infections or if there are concerns they are causing problems breathing during sleep (sleep apnea). An adenoidectomy removes the adenoids which are located at the very back of the nose and top of the throat. They are removed if there are sleep apnea concerns, breathing problems through the nose, or ear problems (such as persistent fluid or recurrentinfections). The tonsils and adenoids are removed through the mouth so there are no cuts anywhere on the skin.
Risks of the procedure:- Bleeding after surgery. This can occur anywhere in the first 2 weeks after surgery. If bleeding occurs (bright red blood from the mouth or coffee ground emesis), you should immediately go to the nearest emergency room.- Dehydration from not drinking enough fluids- Injury to the lips, gums, teeth or jaw- The surgery alters the anatomy of the nasopharynx and can result in something called velopharyngeal insufficiency. This causes hypernasal speech and fluid that can come out through the nose when drinking. This is most often temporary as the muscles and tissues relearn how to close properly during speech and swallowing- The voice may also change after the surgery. This is often temporary. The removal of tonsils and adenoids will not decrease your immune system.
What to expect after surgeryThe surgery itself takes about 45 minutes. Most patients can go home the same day. Pain is often worst 3-5 days after surgery. It is advised to take ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) around the clock during this time. Extra pain medication may be needed and taken as prescribed. Often the pain can radiate into the ears or back of the neck. There are no restriction on diet or the use of straws (although you should avoid very thick fluids). Dairy is fine. Cool fluids and soft foods may be preferred. It is not uncommon to have some weight loss after surgery. Tooth brushing is permitted. A low grade fever can occur after surgery. Bad breathe is also very common after surgery. Quiet activities are allowed but exertional activities such as sports should be avoided for 2 weeks. If a tonsillectomy is performed, you will see a white coating where the tonsils were. This is normal and is not an infection. It will go away by two weeks.It can take up 2 months for fully heal