Tonsillectomy (cont.)
John Mersch, MD, FAAP
Dr. Mersch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, and prior to entering the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine, was a graduate student (attaining PhD candidate status) in Experimental Pathology at USC. He attended internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
In this Article
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy introduction
- What are the risks and complications of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?
- What happens before surgery?
- What takes place the day of surgery?
- What happens during surgery?
- What happens after surgery?
- General instructions and follow-up care
- When to call the doctor
- Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy At A Glance
- Find a local Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor in your town
What are the risks and complications of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?
The patient's surgery will be performed safely and with care in order to obtain the best possible results. The surgery may involve risks of unsuccessful results, complications, or injury from both known and unforeseen causes. Because individuals differ in their response to surgery, their anesthetic reactions, and their healing outcomes, ultimately there can be no guarantee made as to the results or potential complications. Furthermore, surgical outcomes may be dependent on preexisting or concurrent medical conditions.
The following complications have been reported in the medical literature. This list is not meant to be inclusive of every possible complication. They are listed here for your information only, not to frighten you, but to make you aware and more knowledgeable concerning this surgical procedure. Although many of these complications are rare, all have occurred at one time or another in the hands of experienced surgeons practicing the standard of community care. Anyone who is contemplating surgery must weigh the potential risks and complications against the potential benefits of the surgery or any alternative to surgery.
- Failure to alleviate every episode of sore throat, or
resolve subsequent or concurrent ear or sinus infections/nasal drainage.
Possible need for additional surgery.
- Bleeding. In very rare situations there may be a need for blood
products or a
blood transfusion. The
patient has the
right, should he/she choose, to have autologous or designated donor directed
blood prepared in advance in case an emergency transfusion was necessary.
Patients
are encouraged to consult with a doctor if they are interested in this
option.
- Infection, dehydration,
prolonged pain, and/or impaired healing that could lead to the necessity for
hospital admission for fluids and/or pain control.
- A permanent change in voice or nasal regurgitation
(rare).
- Failure to improve the nasal airway or resolve snoring, sleep apnea, or mouth breathing.
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