What is Tonsillectomy?

Tonsillectomy is a surgery to remove tissues in the back of the throat that are called tonsils. Tonsils normally work to protect the body from infection. Often, a tonsillectomy is done if other treatments have been unsuccessful in resolving problems with the tonsils.

Your health care provider may recommend this surgery if:

• Your tonsils are enlarged and are blocking your upper airway, making it hard to breathe during the day or during sleep.
• Your tonsils keep getting infected.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines, especially those that contain aspirin or ibuprofen.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Whether you have recently had a cough, a fever, trouble swallowing, or red and swollen lymph nodes.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Scarring.
• Changes in your sense of taste.
• Changes in your voice.
• Changes in swallowing.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

Medicines

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.

General Instructions

• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
• If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

• To lower your risk of infection, your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You may be given a medicine to help you relax and to relieve anxiety (sedative).
• You will be given a medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
• A device will be placed inside your mouth to press your tongue down.
• A device that uses heat energy (electrocautery device) will be used to cut your tonsils out.
• The blood vessels in the area where the tissues were removed will be shrunk with heat (cauterized) to keep them from bleeding after the procedure.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• Your health care provider may monitor you for bleeding.

Summary

• A tonsillectomy is a surgery to remove tissues in the back of the throat that are called tonsils.
• Before your procedure, tell your health care provider if you have recently had a cough, a fever, trouble swallowing, or red and swollen lymph nodes.
• Often, a tonsillectomy is done if other treatments have been unsuccessful in resolving problems with the tonsils.

Care After Tonsillectomy

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your doctor may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your doctor.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

• Follow instructions from your doctor about eating and drinking.
• For many days after surgery, choose foods that are soft and cold. Examples are:
  • Gelatin.
  • Sherbet.
  • Ice cream.
  • Frozen ice pops.
• If you have an upset stomach (are nauseous), choose liquids that are cold and that you can see through (clear liquids). Examples are water and apple juice without pulp. You can try thick liquids and soft foods when you can eat without throwing up (vomiting) and without too much pain. Examples are:
  • Creamed soups.
  • Soft, warm cereals, such as oatmeal or hot wheat cereal.
  • Milk.
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • Applesauce.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.

Driving

• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine or until your health care provider approves.

General instructions

• Rest.
• Keep your head raised (elevated) when lying down.
• Take medicines only as told by your doctor. These include over-the-counter medicines and prescription medicines.
• Do not use mouthwashes until your doctor says it is okay.
• Gargle only as told by your doctor.
• Stay away from people who are sick.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your pain gets worse or medicines do not help.
• You have a fever.
• You have a rash.
• You feel light-headed or you pass out (faint).
• You cannot swallow even a little liquid or spit (saliva).
• Your pee is very dark.

Get help right away if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You bleed bright red blood from your throat.
• You throw up bright red blood.

Summary

• Follow instructions from your doctor about what you cannot eat or drink. For many days after surgery, choose foods that are soft and cold.
• Talk with your doctor about how to keep your pain under control. This can help you rest and swallow better.
• Get help right away if you bleed bright red blood from your throat or you throw up bright red blood.