Your tonsils are 2 small glands in the back of the throat, 1 on each side. They help your body deal with infections, particularly in childhood. In some situations, you may need to have an operation to remove your tonsils. This operation is called a tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy is a common surgery performed in children, but it is also sometimes needed for adults. Your tonsils are 2 small glands in the back of the throat that help your body respond to infections. The operation done to remove your tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. You may need to have a tonsillectomy if you have frequent or severe infections of your tonsils or have sleep or breathing problems due to large tonsils. A tonsillectomy is done under general anaesthetic, and you will usually go home on the same day or the day after your operation.
Why is a tonsillectomy performed?
You might need your tonsils taken out if you have frequent problems with inflammation or infection in your tonsils (tonsillitis) or around your tonsils. Sometimes people have their tonsils removed because they are so big that cause breathing problems or sleep disorders. A tonsillectomy is a safe procedure but sometimes there can be bleeding or infection in the area where the tonsils used to be.
What are the benefits of surgery?
Surgery mostly benefits people who have more severe medical conditions. For example, children with frequent and severe tonsilitis as well children with severe snoring or sleep apnoea benefit from surgery. Children with less severe symptoms often improve as they get older and don’t need surgery.
How do I prepare for a tonsillectomy?
You will need to fast (not have anything to eat or drink) for some time before your tonsillectomy the hospital or your doctor will give you specific instructions about this. There might be some medicines you should avoid before the operation, like anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen and aspirin. If you are unsure about your medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What happens during a tonsillectomy?
You will be given a general anaesthetic, so you will be asleep for the operation. The doctor will remove the tonsils through your mouth, so there are no cuts to the skin.
Complications of a tonsillectomy
Tonsillectomy is a safe procedure. Sometimes there can be a small amount of bleeding, or infection in the area where the tonsils used to be.
- If you have fresh bleeding, or a high temperature, or you cannot eat or drink, you should call your doctor or the hospital. If the bleeding is heavy, you should go to the hospital emergency department immediately.
- If you live in a rural or remote area, it is important to stay close to the hospital in which you had your surgery for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, due to the risk of bleeding. Read more about rural health services in your state or territory.
Tonsils can cause health issues in some children when they:
- are unusually large or swollen, making it difficult for your child to breathe, swallow or sleep.
- get infected frequently, also called tonsilitis.
- When this happens, the tonsils may need to be removed by a surgeon. This procedure is called a tonsillectomy.
Procedure to remove the tonsils
The tonsils are two small pieces of soft fleshy tissue at the back of the throat. The procedure to remove the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy. The tonsils are two small pieces of soft fleshy tissue found at the back of the throat. They are part of the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It helps your child’s body to fight infection and illness by:
- managing fluids
- carrying white blood cells through the body
- filtering out germs.
- The tonsils store white blood cells and work to filter out germs that enter the body through the airways.
A tonsillectomy can be done on its own, or it may be done with other procedures that involve the ear nose and throat specialist.
These procedures can include
- adenoidectomy – surgery to remove the adenoids
- insertion of grommets – tubes used to treat glue ear.
- Tonsils are not an essential organ. Your child’s immune system will still work without the tonsils.
Before the procedure
The hospital will call you before your child’s procedure to let you know:
- what time you need to arrive
- when your child needs to stop eating and drinking
- whether it is a day procedure or whether they will stay overnight in the hospital
- whether they need to stop taking any medications.
During the procedure
Your child will be under a general anaesthetic for the procedure. This means they will be asleep and will not feel any pain.
- The surgeon will remove the tonsils from your child’s mouth. This means there will be no cuts to the skin.
- The procedure will take around 30 minutes. However, it will take longer if any other procedures are happening at the same time.
After the procedure
When your child wakes up from surgery, they might feel sleepy and sick while the general anaesthetic wears off. Your child may also have a sore throat and ear pain. This is normal.
When your child is ready to go home, you will be given pain medicine and specific instructions to help care for them. This will include instructions for giving pain medication and advice on which medicines to avoid. This is because some medicines can increase the risk of bleeding.
Consclusion
Speak to ENT consultants West Yorkshire if you have concerns about medication before going home.
After you wake up, you will probably still be a bit sleepy for a while, have a very sore throat and may feel nauseous or vomit. The nausea usually settles quickly, and you will be given medicines to manage your pain.
- Some people will go home the day of the operation, and some will stay in hospital overnight. Children might need a week or 2 off school.
- Once you go home, it might help to avoid certain foods, like oranges and lemons, which can hurt your throat.
- It is normal to have a white patch in the throat where the tonsils used to be.
f you’re experiencing frequent tonsillitis or breathing problems, don’t wait book a consultation with our ENT specialists today for expert guidance and treatment.
