Patient education: Tonsillectomy in adults (The Basics)

What is tonsillectomy? — Tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils (figure 1). These 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, in some cases, might send you for imaging or lab tests.

Your doctor will also ask you about your "health history." This involves asking you questions 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 any prescription or "over-the-counter" medicines you use, plus any herbal supplements you take. It helps to write down and bring a list of any medicines you take, or bring a bag with all of 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 your 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 to have someone else 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 get anesthesia medicines. This is to make sure that you do not feel pain during the procedure. Tonsillectomy is done under "general anesthesia." 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 surgeon 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.

●The surgeon will control bleeding where the tonsils were removed. This can be done using heat, chemicals, or stitches.

●The surgery usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

What happens after tonsillectomy? — After your procedure, you will be taken to a recovery room. The staff will watch you closely as your anesthesia wears off. Many people can go home the same day after a tonsillectomy. 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, pain does not get bad until 1 or 2 days after surgery.

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

●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 of the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:

●Bleeding

●Lung problems

●Infection

●Injury to the teeth

●Changes in the voice

What else should I know? — Before you go home from the hospital, make sure that you know what problems to look out for and when you should call the doctor. Make sure that you understand your doctor 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 (The Basics)
Patient education: Sleep apnea in adults (The Basics)