Tonsillectomy, Adenoidectomy

About your treatment

The Tonsils and Adenoids are part of your immune (defence) system. They may need to be removed if:
  • They become regularly infected whereby they cease to act as part of the immune system and the infections become disruptive to your daily life and health.
  • They are excessively enlarged causing partial airway obstruction and snoring or rarely complete obstruction as may occur in children.
  • If the tonsils are asymmetrical in size or ulcerated.

    Before your operation

    Your surgeon would have discussed the operation with you.

    Inform the surgeon if you are taking any medications that may affect blood clotting such as Aspirin, Warfarin and Clopidogrel (Plavix).

    Inform your surgeon if your tonsils are infected on the day of surgery. Should that be the case the surgery needs to be postponed

    Stop all Garlic tablets or any other natural remedies containing Garlic at least one week prior to surgery as this increases the risk of bleeding during and immediately after surgery.

    The Surgery

    This is done under General anaesthetic and can take between 20-30 minutes.
    There are different tools used to remove the tonsils. Mr Toma uses dissection with bipolar diathermy.

    Length of stay

    You will remain in hospital for a minimum of 6 hours.

    After leaving hospital

    Pain after tonsillectomy is severe. This peaks 24 - 48 hours after surgery, and resolves two weeks later. The tonsillectomy pain is often associated with ear pain for a few days. This is normal.

    You will be given either one or a combination of pain killers when discharged from hospital. We recommend you take these regularly as prescribed for at least the first 10 days. This prevents the pain from getting out of control.

    You may be given antibiotics depending on the state of the tonsils when removed.

    We recommend you return to your normal dietary intake as soon as possible. The action of chewing and swallowing reduces the risk of post operative infection. Take your pain killers half an hour before meal times to help with this.

    We recommend two weeks off work and avoid crowded unhealthy environments where someone may be carrying an infection

    Complications

    1. Bleeding
    This occurs on average in 1% of cases. The commonest time for this is within the first 6 hours after surgery and 7 - 10 days after surgery. Should you experience any bleeding please contact the hospital for advice.
    2. Infection
    If the pain is increasing rather than decreasing pain or you experience bleeding a few days after surgery, you may have an infection and should get some antibiotics.
    3. Taste
    Sense of taste may sometimes be affected. This is usually temporary
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