What To Expect From Having Tonsils Removed

The tonsils are a pair of small glands found in the back of the throat. The purpose of tonsils is to house the white blood cells that help fight infections. However, in an ironic twist, tonsils can become infected by themselves. When the tonsils become infected, it is referred to as tonsillitis. Some patients who have frequent tonsillitis episodes might benefit from a tonsillectomy, which is a procedure that removes the tonsils entirely. Before getting a tonsillectomy, however, it's important to know what to expect and how to prepare. Children are more likely to need a tonsillectomy than adults, but there isn't an age limit on who can require surgery to remove their tonsils.

With this in mind, get the full details on what to expect from a tonsillectomy now.

What A Tonsillectomy Treats

A tonsillectomy is performed to remove the tonsils. Though these glands help make the white blood cells that are vital to the immune system, individuals can live without them. The most common reason a tonsillectomy is performed is to treat tonsillitis, which occurs when the tonsils become infected, leading to swelling and a sore throat. In addition, patients might have trouble swallowing, a fever, and swollen neck glands. During a medical exam, the tonsils might have a yellow or whitish coating, and the throat might be reddened. Tonsillitis isn't automatically a case for a tonsillectomy. Many of these infections either resolve on their own or can be treated with a course of antibiotics. However, if a course of antibiotics doesn't treat the infection properly, or patients experience recurring bouts of tonsillitis, they might be a good case for a tonsillectomy. There are a few other reasons this procedure may be performed as well. Sometimes breathing issues like sleep apnea are exacerbated by the tonsils, and removing them helps open up the throat and respiratory pathways.

Learn about how patients can prepare now.

How Patients Can Prepare

Tonsillectomies are rarely performed as emergency surgeries. If a patient has an antibiotic-resistant infection, though, they might not have much time to prepare. It's important to remove the tonsils before the infection spreads or otherwise becomes more serious. The good news is most patients will have a few weeks of preparation time before the surgery. Two weeks before surgery, patients will have to stop any anti-inflammatory medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen, ibuprofen, and acetylsalicylic acid. Because these drugs have anti-clotting factors, they can increase the chances of bleeding during or following the surgery. If patients take any vitamins, herbs, or other medications regularly, they must make sure they tell their doctor about them. On the day of the tonsillectomy, patients should fast after midnight, which means not drinking or eating anything, since an empty stomach will help reduce anesthetic-related nausea. Before the surgery, patients should also set up a plan for their at-home recovery. They'll need someone to drive them home from the hospital and help around the house for a few days. Most patients plan to take about a week off school or work.

Read about how the procedure works next.

How The Procedure Works

The exact details of the surgery will vary depending on the patient's circumstances, and several different methods might be employed. One of the most common methods is a cold knife dissection. During this procedure, the surgeon will use a scalpel to remove the tonsils. If a scalpel isn't used, another one of the most common surgical methods is burning the tonsil tissues away in a process called cauterization. More rarely, a surgeon might opt to use ultrasonic vibration as part of the tonsillectomy procedure. Ultrasonic vibrations use sound waves to damage and remove the tonsil tissues. Though the procedure is major surgery, it usually only takes about thirty minutes to complete. Regardless of the method used, patients will be given general anesthetic, and they'll feel no pain or awareness during the surgery. Upon waking, patients will be in a hospital recovery room. They'll be monitored for a little while to make sure the anesthesia is wearing off correctly. Most patients can return home the same day.

Get familiar with the risks of a tonsillectomy next.

Risks Of The Procedure

Tonsillectomies are very commonly performed and routine procedures. Both adults and children undergo them, and most experience very few complications. As far as major surgeries go, this one carries relatively few risks. Most surgeons have extensive experience performing tonsillectomies, and the procedure itself is simple enough that there's a low chance of medical mistakes. However, because it's major surgery, there are still some risks associated with it. Patients might experience swelling around the surgical site. It's also possible they'll develop an infection, though surgeons will take steps to manage this risk. Patients will also likely be given aftercare instructions to further minimize the risk of infection. Patients might also experience bleeding around the surgical site, especially if they take medications or have medical conditions that reduce their clotting factors. There's also a chance they'll have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Before the procedure, patients should make sure their anesthesiologist knows about any potential adverse reactions they've had in the past.

Discover the details regarding the recovery process next.

Recovery Process

Most tonsillectomy patients take about a week off of school or work following the procedure. Some patients experience pain during their recovery, which is a normal experience as the surgical site heals. Some patients have a sore throat following the surgery, though this tends to abate within a few days to weeks. Some individuals experience pain or pressure in the neck, ears, or jaw. Once again, this is normal. The doctor might prescribe a temporary medication to help relieve pain. Patients should make sure to ask about what over-the-counter pain relievers they can safely take, if any. Immediately following surgery, patients should give their body time to rest and recover. The first two or three days should involve sleeping and staying in bed. To stay hydrated, patients can eat ice cubes or sip on water. Applesauce and clear broth are the best food choices. Patients can slowly begin adding in soft foods after the first few days.