Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which both palatine tonsils are fully removed from the back of the throat. The procedure is mainly performed for recurrent throat infections and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

INDICATIONS

Absolute

Recurrent infections of throat
1. ≥ 7 episodes in 1 yr
2. ≥ 5 episodes/yr for 2 years
3. ≥ 3 episodes/yr for 3 years
4. ≥2 weeks lost school/work in 1 year
Peritonsillar Abscess – [4-6 weeks after the abscess has been treated]
Hypertrophy of Tonsils – [causing Airway Obstruction/ Difficulty in deglutition/ Interference in speech]
Suspicion of Malignancy

Relative

Diphtheria carriers
Streptococcal carriers
Chronic tonsilitis
Recurrent streptococcal tonsilitis with valvular heart disease

Part of other operation

Palatopharyngoplasty
Glossopharyngeal neurectomy
Removal of styloid process

CONTRAINDICATION

Hb < 10g%
Acute infection in URT
Age ≤ 3 Yr
Submucous cleft palate
Bleeding disorders
Uncontrolled systemic disease – Diabetes, Cardiac disease, Hypertension, Asthema

ANESTHESIA

General anesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

POSITION

Rose’s position [ Patient lies supine with head extended by placing a pillow under shoulders, A rubber ring is placed under the head ]

*Hyperextension of neck should be avoided.

STEPS

Boyle-Davis mouth gag with Draffin’s Bipod is used to keep the mouth open.
Tonsil is held using Tonsil holding forceps and pulled medially
Incision at mucous membrane between tonsil and anterior pillar.
Blunt curved scissor to dissect tonsil from peritonsillar tissue to separate upper pole
Tonsil is held at upper pole, pulled downward medially, dissection is continued till lower pole.
Using the wire loop of Tonsillar snare the tonsillar pedicle is held, then the tonsil is cut and removed.
Gauze sponge is applied at the fossa and pressure is applied for few minutes. Bleeding points are tied with silk
Repeated to other side.

POST OPERATIVE CARE

Immediate –

1. Keep in Coma until anesthesia works.
2. Keep watch on bleeding from nose/mouth
3. Keep check on Vitals

Diet – Liquid food can be taken after recovery, Ice to relieve pain, gradual build up of diet to solid food, Plenty of fluid intake.
Oral Hygiene – Salt water gargles, Mouthwash with every feed.
Analgesics – Paracetamol. [Aspirin/ Ibuprofen avoided due to bleeding chances]
Antibiotics.

COMPLICATIONS

IMMEDIATE

1. Primary Haemorrhage during operation. Controlled by pressure/ ligation/ electrocoagulation
2. Reactionary Haemorrhage within 24h controlled by removal of clot, application of pressure/ vasoconstrictor
3. Injury to tonsillar pillars, uvula, soft palate, teeth
4. Aspiration of Blood

DELAYED

1. Secondary Haemorrhage
2. Infection
3. Various lung complications
4. Scarring in soft palate and pillars
5. Tonsillar remnants that may be left and gets repeatedly infected.
6. Hypertrophy of lingual tonsil.