Tonsillectomy refers to surgical removal of the tonsils. Tonsils are 2 ovoid-shaped lymphoid tissues that sits at the back of your throat. You have a right and a left tonsil.
Tonsillectomy may be indicated if you have:
- Recurrent or frequent tonsil infections
- Large tonsils causing snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea
- Tonsillar growth or asymmetrically enlarged tonsils which may be suspicious for cancer
- Severe tonsillitis that failed to resolve with antibiotics
Tonsillectomy is done with the patient asleep (under general anaesthesia). There is no external cut on the mouth or neck region. The surgery is performed through the mouth and takes between 20 to 45 minutes, depending on complexity of the condition.
After the surgery, there will have two wounds at the back of the throat (where the tonsils used to lie). There will be some sore throat and blood-stained saliva for a few days. However, the pain is usually adequately controlled with pain relievers, gargles and lozenges. Most patients can go home on the day of the surgery itself or the following day.
It takes between 2-3 weeks for the tonsillar wounds to heal. The pain is usually worse on day 2-3 after surgery and much better by the 2nd week after surgery. In general, most ENT Specialists will advise resting for at least 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Hope this helps and all the best!
