Tonsillectomy is surgical procedure in which both tonsils are removed from the tonsillar fossa. It is indicated in recurrent throat infection, peritonsillar abscess, hypertrophy of tonsils causing airway obstruction & interference with speech & suspected malignancy. In case of childrens' adenoids are removed in the same sitting. Tonsillectomy is usually performed by dissection and snare, electrocautery, or coblation method. Postoperatively patient will have pain for which patient is given medicines and advised soft cold liquid diet (icecream) It is contraindicated in Hb<10gm%, presence of acute URTI, children less than 3yrs, bleeding disorders. Complications includes primary haemorrhage, reactionary haemorrhage, injury to pillars, uvula, soft palate, tongue or superior constrictors muscle, teeth, aspiration of blood, facial edema, surgical emphysema, infection, lung complications, hypertrophy of lingual tonsils.
Tonsils are part of lymphatic system.
Recurrent throat infection will cause tonsillar hypertrophy and hence pain while swallowing. It will subside with medicine, but will recur with infection.
Not more than one hour.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, hence your child will not feel pain during procedure. After surgery he will feel pain for which analgesics will be given.
Patient may have complications like bleeding.
For first 24hrs after surgery patient is advised to have soft cold liquid diet like icecream, then he can be started with soft diet like khichdi which he can swallow easily.
He should avoid fibres diet, bread and hot drinks.
