Patient education: Tonsillectomy in adults (The Basics)

What is tonsillectomy? — 

This is surgery to remove the tonsils (figure 1). The tonsils are areas of soft tissue in the back of the throat.

Your doctor might recommend tonsillectomy if you have repeated infections of the throat and tonsils. Sometimes, doctors remove the tonsils for other reasons. Examples include a growth on the tonsil or to help treat a condition called "sleep apnea."

How do I prepare for tonsillectomy? — 

The doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do anything special to prepare. They will do an exam, and might send you for imaging or lab tests.

Your doctor will also ask about your "health history." This involves asking about any health problems you have or had in the past, past surgeries, and any medicines you take. Tell them about:

●Any medicines you are taking – This includes prescription and "over-the-counter" medicines, plus any herbal supplements. It helps to write down and bring a list of your medicines, or bring a bag with all your medicines with you.

●Any allergies you have

●Any bleeding problems you have – Certain medicines, including some herbs and supplements, can increase the risk of bleeding. Some health conditions also increase this risk.

You will also get information about:

●Eating and drinking before the procedure – You will need to "fast" before surgery. This means not eating or drinking anything for a period of time, usually after midnight the night before.

●What help you will need when you go home – For example, you might need someone else to bring you home or stay with you for some time while you recover.

Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.

What happens during tonsillectomy? — 

When it is time for the procedure:

●You will get an "IV," which is a thin tube that goes into a vein. This can be used to give you fluids and medicines.

●You will "general anesthesia." This is to make sure you do not feel pain during the procedure. This type of anesthesia makes you unconscious so you can't feel, see, or hear anything during the procedure.

●You might get medicines to help control pain or lower the risk of nausea and vomiting after the procedure.

●The doctors and nurses will monitor your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate during the procedure.

●The doctor will use special tools to hold your mouth open. Then, they will use other tools to grasp, cut, and remove your tonsils through your mouth.

●They will control bleeding where your tonsils were removed. This can be done using heat, chemicals, or stitches.

●Tonsillectomy usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

What happens after tonsillectomy? — 

You will be taken to a recovery room. The staff will watch you closely as your anesthesia wears off. You can probably go home the same day. But some people need to stay in the hospital overnight.

As you recover:

●You might feel groggy or confused for a short time. You might also feel nauseous or vomit. The doctor or nurse can give you medicine to help with this.

●The staff will help you get out of bed and start moving around when you are ready.

●You will have throat pain. Sometimes, the pain does not get bad until 1 or 2 days later.

●You will get medicine to help with pain, if needed.

●When you are ready to eat, you will start with clear liquids. Then, you can start eating as you are able. Eat soft foods that are easy to swallow.

What are the risks of tonsillectomy? — 

Your doctor will talk to you about all the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Bleeding

●Lung problems

●Infection

●Tooth injury

●Voice changes

What else should I know? — 

Before you go home from the hospital, make sure you know what problems to look out for and when to call the doctor. Make sure you understand your doctor's or nurse's instructions. Ask questions about anything you do not understand.

More on this topic

Patient education: Tonsillectomy in adults – Discharge instructions (The Basics)
Patient education: Anesthesia in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Obstructive sleep apnea in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children (The Basics)