POST-TONSILLECTOMY INSTRUCTION

Everyone gets a sore throat from time to time, and sometimes the tonsils in your mouth can become infected. Tonsils are not the only vulnerable glands in your mouth. Adenoids are located higher up in the mouth, responsible for clearing infections, and keeping body fluids in balance. Just like tonsils, adenoids can also get infected. Enlarged and inflamed adenoids can make breathing difficult and lead to recurring respiratory infections and snoring.

Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed in order to have the tonsils removed. The tonsils and adenoids are masses of lymphoid tissue located behind the nasal passages. Infected or enlarged tonsils may cause a chronic sore throat, bad breath, abscess and upper airway obstruction, which may cause difficulty with swallowing, snoring or sleep apnea.

The instructions below are designed to help you or a loved one recover from tonsillectomy surgery as painlessly as possible. Taking care of yourself or the individual having tonsillectomy can prevent complications. As all surgical procedures have risks and potential complications, it's important to understand what is involved before, during, and after surgery.

The following post-tonsillectomy instructions need to be adhered to:

• The patient must stay in bed on the day of being discharged from the hospital.
• The patient may be allowed up (indoors) the day following a tonsillectomy.
• The patient may be allowed outside the following day, but must remain indoors at night for 10 days and off from work or school for seven days.
• The pain after a tonsillectomy is due to the stiffness of the throat muscles. The more that you chew and eat, the sooner the pain will be relieved. It's important to start eating solid foods as soon as possible, e.g. bread and a full diet. Biltong is a good food to chew. A Panado or another analgesic 30 minutes before a meal will relieve the pain and allow solid foods to be ingested easier. Avoid eating bananas, acid or salty foods and condiments.

During the first post-tonsillectomy operative week, a sore throat, earache and a slight temperature rise are normal responses and should not cause concern. If these symptoms become severe or bleeding occurs, and you become concerned in any way, please contact either your local GP or Dr. Martin Vanlierde.

The area from which the tonsils were removed will heal with the formation of a yellow scab. This is a normal healing pattern and does not indicate infection. Days five to seven are the most painful post-tonsillectomy operative days. Patients can expect earache and a mild temperature. This can be treated with the pain medication prescribed at the time of surgery.

Please expect a period of tiredness and irritability after tonsil removal surgery. Whatever the effort made, having an operation is still a very stressful experience, and rest, healthy food, lots of fluids to drink and plenty of sleep will speed you towards recovery!