What is it?
A tonsillectomy is the removal of your tonsils and an adenoidectomy, the removal of your adenoids. Tonsils and adenoids are part of a 'ring' of glandular or lymphoid tissue encircling the back of the throat.
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Do I need it?
Your doctor has advised you to have your tonsils and/or adenoids removed for one or more of the following reasons:
a. Recurrent throat and ear infections despite antibiotic therapy
b. Obstruction to breathing due to the enlarged tonsils and/or the adenoids, and
c. The possibility of tumor
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How do I prepare?
Your doctor will enquire about your general health and assess your fitness for surgery.
Inform your doctor if:
a. You or your immediate family has had any problems with anesthesia
b. You are taking medication or have used steroids in the past year
c. You have a bleeding disorder
d. You have sickle cell anemia
e. You are pregnant or
f. You have concerns about the transfusion of blood.
Selected blood tests and possibly a Chest X-ray and Electrocardiogram (ECG) may be required prior to surgery.
You should not take aspirin, or medications containing aspirin, for at least 2 weeks before the surgery.
If you get an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) or fever during the five days prior to surgery, please inform your doctor. Your doctor may need to reschedule the surgery as an URTI may increase the risk from anesthesia.
Do not eat or drink after midnight before your surgery. This restriction includes water. The contents of the stomach may be vomited during induction of anesthesia and this is dangerous.
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What to expect
The procedure will take approximately 30-40 minutes. You will be under anesthesia during the entire surgery. Intravenous fluids will be given during and after surgery. The surgeon will remove the tonsils and/or adenoids through your mouth. There will be no external scar seen.
After the surgery, you will be taken to the post-anesthesia care unit where the nursing staff will observe you until you are discharged.
Your response to the procedure will vary according to the length and type of anesthesia and the surgical procedure. Many patients are discharged after six hours. However, others may require an overnight stay and intensive care may be needed for selected cases.
You may experience temporary post-operative symptoms, which include:
a. Drowsiness and nausea
b. Low grade fever
c. Sore throat
d. Ear pain and
e. A change in voice or snoring.
You will be given analgesics, antibiotics and a soothing gargle for 5-10 days.
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Next Actions
As you have been administered general anesthesia, an adult must accompany you home. For the next 24 hours after surgery, a small amount of sedative may still be present in your body. Hence, you are advised not to carry out the following:
a. Drive a vehicle
b. Drink alcohol
c. Operate machinery
d. Take sedatives unless prescribed by the doctor
e. Sign any legal documents
Before leaving, you should have:
a. A medical certificate
b. A prescription written by your doctor and
c. A return appointment at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic for your post-operative visit.
If you experience significant throat or ear pain not relieved by medication or fresh bleeding from the mouth, please seek treatment at the Emergency Department TTSH.
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