Tonsillectomy is a common ENT procedure. It is commonly performed to treat episodes of recurrent tonsillitis, in some cases to treat snoring and on occasions as part of diagnosis for cancer. There are many different methods for tonsil removal.
At the Manor Hospital Professor Winter will typically use coblation technology to remove the tonsils. This is a low temperature methods with a lower pain immediately after the operation.
After the procedure, the patient will be encouraged to eat and drink as soon as they feel able. I prescribe pain and suggest taking these 45-60 minutes before meal times to ease any discomfort.
The next day following tonsillectomy, there is a white coating at the bed of the tonsils. This is part of the normal healing process and not an infection. Swallowing after the surgery can feel ‘strange’ but this will improve within a week to 14 days from surgery.
It is important to drink a lot of fluids after the tonsillectomy so that there is no risk of dehydration. I suggest trying to get back to a normal diet rather than the more old fashioned advice of ‘dry toast’.
Bleeding after the operation can occur, with in 2 weeks after surgery. This is usually mild and can be treated with antibiotics, but in a small number of cases then a return to theatre is required.
