Tonsillectomy

Excision / removal of tonsils (if enlarged or causing recurrent infections) often in combination with adenoidectomy

Speciality ENT, Paediatrics
Urgency elective, urgent
Duration 15 to 45 min
Blood Loss minimal to 500 ml
Anaesthesia General Anaesthetic +/- Gas Induction
Anaesthesia II General +/- Local Anaesthetic
Procedures Throat pack
Pain moderate (+++)
Post-op Pain Local up to 4-8 hours
Post-op Pain II Tablets, Suppositories, Injection (im, iv)
Hospital Stay Day Surgery (a few hours) to 2 days
Full Recovery 1 to 4 weeks
Additional Info May be cancelled if present or recent bronchitis, cough or chest infection. Beware: obstructive sleep apnoea. There is some risk of post-operative bleeding (rarely large, if bleeding go back to hospital and see the ENT-doctor)

Specialities