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Tonsillectomy
Tonsils removal; Tonsillitis - tonsillectomy; Pharyngitis - tonsillectomy; Sore throat - tonsillectomy
Tonsillectomy is a surgery to remove the tonsils.
The tonsils are glands at the back of your throat. The tonsils are often removed along with the adenoid glands. That surgery is called adenoidectomy and is most often done in children.
Adenoidectomy
Adenoid removal is surgery to take out the adenoid glands. The adenoid glands sit behind your nose above the roof of your mouth in the nasopharynx. ...
Description
The surgery is done while the child is under general anesthesia. Your child will be asleep and pain-free.
- The surgeon will place a small tool into your child's mouth to hold it open.
- The surgeon then cuts, burns, or shaves away the tonsils. The wounds heal naturally without stitches.
After surgery, your child will stay in the recovery room until he or she is awake and can breathe easily, cough, and swallow. Most children go home several hours after this surgery.
Why the Procedure Is Performed
The tonsils help protect against infections. But children with large tonsils may have problems breathing at night. The tonsils may also trap excess bacteria which can lead to frequent or very painful sore throats. In either of these cases, the child's tonsils have become more harmful than protective.
You and your child's health care provider may consider a tonsillectomy if:
- Your child has infections often (7 or more times in 1 year, or 5 or more times over 2 years).
- Your child misses a lot of school.
- Your child has trouble breathing and does not sleep well because the tonsils block the airway (sleep apnea).
- Your child has an abscess or a growth on the tonsils.
Risks
The risks for any anesthesia are:
- Reaction to medicines
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Breathing problems
Breathing problems
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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The risks for any surgery are:
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Bleeding
Bleeding
Bleeding is the loss of blood. Bleeding may be:Inside the body (internally) Outside the body (externally)Bleeding may occur:Inside the body when blo...
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Rarely, bleeding after surgery can go unnoticed and cause very bad problems. Swallowing a lot may be a sign of bleeding from the tonsils.
Another risk includes injury to the uvula (soft palate).
Before the Procedure
Your child's provider may ask your child to have:
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Blood tests (
complete blood count
,
electrolytes
, and clotting factors)
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The tota...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleElectrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...
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Always tell your child's provider what drugs your child is taking. Include any drugs, herbs, or vitamins you bought without a prescription
During the days before the surgery:
- Ten days before the surgery, your child may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), warfarin (Coumadin), and other drugs like these.
- Ask your child's provider which drugs your child should still take on the day of the surgery.
On the day of the surgery:
- Your child will most often be asked not to drink or eat anything for several hours before the surgery.
- Give your child any drugs you have been told to give with a small sip of water.
- You will be told when to arrive at the hospital.
After the Procedure
A tonsillectomy is most often done in a hospital or surgery center. Your child will go home the same day as the surgery. Children rarely need to stay overnight in the hospital for observation.
Complete recovery takes about 1 to 2 weeks. During the first week, your child should avoid people who are sick. It will be easier for your child to become infected during this time.
Outlook (Prognosis)
After surgery, the number of throat infections is most often lower, but your child may still get some.
References
Goldstein NA. Evaluation and management of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund LJ, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 184
Wetmore RF. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 383.
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After your child's tonsil or adenoid surgery
Animation
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Before a child's tonsil or adenoid surgery
Animation
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Throat anatomy - illustration
Structures of the throat include the esophagus, trachea, epiglottis and tonsils.
Throat anatomy
illustration
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Tonsillectomy - Series
Presentation
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After your child's tonsil or adenoid surgery
Animation
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Before a child's tonsil or adenoid surgery
Animation
Review Date: 8/5/2015
Reviewed By: Sumana Jothi MD, specialist in laryngology, Clinical Instructor UCSF Otolaryngology, NCHCS VA, SFVA, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
