Tonsillectomy (Adult)
This webpage will give you information about a
tonsillectomy. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What are the tonsils?
The
tonsils are part of a group of lymphoid tissues (like the glands in
your neck) that help to fight off infection from germs that are
breathed in or swallowed.
Tonsillitis happens if the tonsils become infected (see figure
1). For children, a tonsillectomy is recommended when the child has
had at least four attacks each year for two years in a row.
For adults, fewer attacks are needed before a tonsillectomy is
recommended, as attacks tend to be more severe and there is less
likelihood of the attacks stopping on their own.
Figure 1 - Tonsillitis
What are the benefits of surgery?
A tonsillectomy will prevent you from getting tonsillitis and
the resulting pain, fever and difficulty swallowing.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Surgery is the only dependable way to stop tonsillitis that
keeps on coming back. In children, a long course of antibiotics may
break a cycle of frequent infections. In adults, this treatment is
less likely to be effective, especially following glandular
fever.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic.
Your surgeon will perform the tonsillectomy through your mouth.
They will cut or peel the tonsil away from the layer of muscle
underneath it. They will then stop the bleeding.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Small pieces of the tonsil may be left behind
- Lingual tonsillitis
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the following day. Sometimes a
tonsillectomy is done as a day case (no overnight stay in
hospital).
The pain will last for up to two weeks. It will tend to be worse
first thing in the morning.
You will need to stay off work or school and away from groups of
people for two weeks after the operation. This is to help prevent
throat infections while your throat is still healing.
Summary
If left untreated, tonsillitis can cause complications. Surgery
is the only dependable way to stop tonsillitis that keeps on coming
back.
Acknowledgements
Author: Miss Ruth Capper MD FRCS (ORL-HNS)
Illustrations: Medical Illustration Copyright © 2007 Nucleus
Medical Art. All rights reserved. www.nucleusinc.com
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2007 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Orpington, Bromley Private Patient Unit
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Reading, Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital