Tonsillectomy
Definition
A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils.
Alternative Names
Tonsils removal
Indications
A tonsillectomyshould be consideredwhen tonsillitis attacks are so frequent or severe that they affect a child's general health or interfere with school, hearing, or breathing. However, some physicians believe tonsillectomies are done more often than necessary, so get a second opinion when there is any doubt.
Specifically, the guidelines for surgery are:
- 7 or more episodes of tonsillitis in 1 year
- 5 or more episodes per year over a 2-year period
- Enlarged tonsils that interfere with breathing
- An abscess in the tonsils
- Grossly asymmetric tonsils
A tonsillectomy also may be needed if the tonsils are enlarged and blocking access to the adenoids during an adenoidectomy or if the physician suspects the presence of a tonsil tumor.
Convalescence
A tonsillectomy is usually done on an outpatient basis, with thechild returning home the same day as the surgery. Rarely, the child is observed overnight in the hospital and returns home the day after the surgery. Complete recovery can take 2 weeks.
Expect some throat and ear pain in the first days following surgery. Ice packscan helprelieve pain, and sucking on an ice cube or eating ice cream may providesome comfort. In addition, pain-relief medication may be prescribed. During recovery, it is recommended to eat soft, easy-to-swallow food and to drink a lot of cold fluids.
Using ahumidifier at home can also bring some comfort. Your child may experience alternating good and bad days for 2 weeks after surgery. It is a good idea to keep your child away from crowds or ill people for 7 days, since the throat is highly susceptible to infections during this period.
Expectations after surgery
In most cases, the surgery clears problems immediately. After surgery, the number of throat infections is usually reduced, but not completely eliminated.
Risks
The risks for any anesthesia include the following:
- Reactions to medications
- Breathing problems
The risks for any surgery include the following:
In rare instances, post-surgical bleeding can go unnoticed and can cause serious consequences. Frequent swallowing may be a sign of bleeding from tonsils.
Other risks include injury to the uvula (soft palate).
Review Date: 10/20/2006
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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