Tonsillectomy
Awake, endoscopic view of large palatine tonsils.
The palatine (or faucial) tonsils, commonly referred to as tonsils, are bundles of lymphatic tissue located in the lateral oropharynx.
A few of Dr. Liu's close colleagues published a systematic review of tonsillectomy for adults with OSA.
While often performed with UPPP in adults, isolated tonsillectomy can be successful among patients with large tonsils and mild to moderate OSA (AHI < 30/hour).
Tonsillectomy is a common operation. As with any surgery, there are risks. We review them with you before surgery, since your own risks depend on your anatomy and health.
- Bleeding
- Uncommon, but more likely in adults than in children. It is most likely 5 to 10 days after surgery and occasionally needs a return to the operating room.
- Pain and dehydration
- Throat pain usually lasts 10 to 14 days and can make drinking hard. Pain medicine on a schedule and steady fluids help prevent dehydration.
- Ear pain
- Pain often travels to the ears while the throat heals. This is expected and is not an ear infection.
- Change in taste or voice
- Usually temporary.
- Teeth, lips and jaw
- The instrument that holds the mouth open can rarely chip a tooth, bruise the lips or strain the jaw joint.
- Snoring or apnea that persists
- Tonsillectomy works best with large tonsils and mild to moderate sleep apnea. When the palate, tongue base or jaws also narrow the airway, further treatment may be needed.
- Infection
- Uncommon, and treated with antibiotics when it happens.
- Anesthesia
- Risks of general anesthesia are reviewed with you by the anesthesia team.