Tonsillectomy Complications

Tonsils are two pads of lymphatic tissue, responsible for production of antibodies, in order to fight infections entering via the mouth and nose better. Each pad is situated on either side of the posterior portion of the throat. This positioning of the tonsils makes them vulnerable to inflammation due to attack from foreign bodies.

Such inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils is termed as tonsillitis. Inflamed tonsils conduce to frequent sore throats, bad breath, upper airway obstructions, etc. When these inflammations happen frequently, they conduce to complications and cannot be treated by medication.

The doctor then recommends surgical removal of these tonsils, to prevent further infection. This surgical excision of tonsils is defined as tonsillectomy. Parents are often concerned about tonsillectomy complications after surgery.

The main reason why tonsillectomy is carried out, is because enlarged tonsils obstruct the sufferer's breathing passage. Because of these inflamed tonsils, the sufferer is unable to eat and drink properly. The pain causes a lot of discomfort. Breathing and choking problems are also seen.

If this condition is not treated quickly, strain can be caused on the sufferer's heart and lungs. After a thorough medical examination, the doctor will recommend a surgery. Like other surgeries, tonsillectomy also shares the same complication risks such as bleeding, anesthesia and infection. Let's have a detailed look at them.

Tonsil removal is carried out under general anesthesia. This anesthesia can conduce to serious reactions, which may range from temporary confusion to lung infection. Then there are severe reactions that can take place such as heart attacks and even strokes. However, the anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists are skilled and have things under their control.

Bleeding during tonsillectomy is not common and if it does occur, it requires blood transfusions. During the operation, bleeding is not profuse, however, bleeding complications arise post operation, when the child comes home from the hospital. Bleeding is commonly seen 4-8 days after surgery. Bleeding is one of the common complications in children. About one in every fifty children operated, return to the operating room because of bleeding.

Post complications of any surgery would be infection and this is relevant to this case as well. Though serious infections are rare after tonsillectomy, if an infection does occur, oral or intravenous antibiotics are given.

After any surgery, follows pain. Recovery after tonsillectomy will take 2-3 weeks during which one will experience pain for the first two days. If pain flares up after this period, pain medications are given. If pain medication does not alleviate the pain, hospital admission may be required.

The long term effects of tonsillectomy are, that this surgery will not reduce the risk or vulnerability to conditions like chest infections, upper respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, nasal allergies, laryngitis, etc. However, the removal of tonsils enables one to swallow easily and also eliminates the bad breath problem, if one suffered from it.

After having a tonsillectomy, one should maintain a few precautionary measures, so as to avoid any of these complications from occurring. Avoid smoking, vigorous exercise immediately after surgery, foods that can cause irritation like spicy, sticky and citrus foods.