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Tonsillectomy
BACKGROUND
Most tonsil infections can be easily treated with antibiotics.
However, when the infections become so frequent as to interfere
with school or work, or are accompanied by increasingly severe
symptoms such as high fevers, it becomes necessary to consider
removing the tonsils. Other reasons for removing tonsils include
significant difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties
while sleeping, or chronic mouth breathing with is affecting
the growth of the oral structures such as the palate and teeth.
Thousands of years ago, the tonsils probably were important
for fighting infection. However, at this time, tonsil do not
play a significant role in fighting infection. Their removal
does not in any way effect your ability to fight infection
and does not make you more vulnerable other illnesses. The
benefit of tonsillectomy is that you will never have another
tonsil infection. Tonsils do not grow back if they are completely
removed. This does not mean that you will never have another
sore throat. Sore throats can also come from sinus infections
and viral illnesses. The risks of surgery include bleeding
from the area where the tonsils are removed. Typically, it
is extremely rare to have bleeding within 24 hours of surgery.
For this reason, it is safe to go home the same day that surgery
is done. Approximately 7-10 days following surgery, it is
possible to have some bleeding. We do not close the tissues
when the tonsils are taken out. The areas are allowed to heal
by themselves. When the scabs that form over these areas fall
off, it is possible to have some bleeding. This is extremely
rare in young children. As patient's get older, the risks
of bleeding is higher. This is because the tonsils have been
present longer, are associated with more scar tissue, and
usually require more work for removal. Also, the blood vessels
supplying this area are larger. Should you experience any
bleeding, this usually is self-limited. It is messy and frightening,
but is rarely dangerous. Please contact our office immediately
should you experience any bleeding after surgery.
Tonsillectomy is sometimes combined with removal of the adenoid
tissue or adenoidectomy. This would be done in cases of airway
obstruction while sleeping or tonsil infections associated
with purulent nasal drainage.
AFTER SURGERY
Please see the instructions handed out to you. These will
give you good information regarding suggested diet. You will
be seen within the first two weeks after surgery. Usually,
after that time, it is not necessary to be seen again.
Recovery after tonsillectomy requires anywhere from 10 -
14 days depending on the age of the patient. Younger patients
recover more quickly than the older patients, such as teenagers
and adults, who require at least two weeks for recovery. It
is normal for the throat to be covered with white or gray
tissue during the time of healing.
Should you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate
to contact us. Our office number is 281-265-1160 . Our office
is open five days a week. In case of an emergency after normal
office hours, please call 281-265-1160 and they will page
the on - call physician.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Stay reasonably quiet for 5 days.
2. Avoid vigorous coughing or clearing of the throat.
3. Objectionable odors from the mouth are to be expected.
Mouth may be rinsed with warm salt or soda solution. Avoid
gargles.
4. Mild ear pain, especially at night or when swallowing,
is common. Heat may be used for ear pain. Patient may also
experience jaw soreness, tongue soreness and neck soreness.
Expect more pain the 4th, 5th, and 6th days after surgery.
5. Diet as follows:
- Abundant water.
- Liquids (soft drinks, warm tea, Kool Pops, Ice popsicles,
apple juice, grape juice, etc.) and soft foods (sherbet,
cooked cereals, jello, pudding, custard, apple sauce, mashed
potatoes, etc.) for 4 - 5 days.
- Then gradually return to a full diet adding meats and
solid foods slowly.There is no food which will do harm to
the patient.
- Avoid hot or highly seasoned foods and citrus fruit juices
for several days.
- If patient is refusing liquids, encourage them to take
an appropriate dose of pain medication, wait 1/2 hour, then
try liquids again.
6. REPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- Persistent bleeding
- Temperature of 103 or above. A LOW GRADE TEMPERATURE IS
TO BE EXPECTED
7. Report to the office for inspection of throat as directed
by your physician. Please make
office appointment the day of discharge from the hospital.
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