What is Tonsillectomy

What happens before the Operation

If you have a cold or tonsillitis in the week before your admission to hospital, please telephone the Ward and let the Ward Sister know. The operation will usually be put off, and you will be given time to get better before being sent for again. You will need to get over the cold or the tonsillitis before you have the operation because by having an anaesthetic the cold or the tonsillitis could turn into a serious chest infection.

The Operation

You will have a general anaesthetic and be completely asleep. The Surgeon removes the tonsils through the mouth and stops any bleeding. A special instrument called diathermy (a Greek word which means by applying heat) is usually used which can free the tonsils and at the same time can stop the bleeding by applying a wave of heat on the small blood vessels. Because you are completely asleep you will not feel any pain during your operation. Provided that you are eating and drinking normally, and there is no sign of any infection, you will be fit to go home one days after your operation.