Summer break is a popular time to schedule tonsillectomies so kids don’t miss out on valuable classroom time. A tonsillectomy is necessary when antibiotics don’t take care of chronic tonsil infections. Many children end up having tonsillectomies and while it’s a relativity easy simple surgery, it is still surgery and a complex medical procedure. Here are some things to know before your little one goes under the knife.
- If your child has three or more tonsillar infections per year, your ENT specialist will probably recommend having the tonsils removed.
- Children with sleep disorders are more likely to need a tonsillectomy.
- During a tonsillectomy, the adenoids (tissue located above the roof of the mouth, behind the nose) may also be removed.
- Children area always administered a general anesthetic for a tonsillectomy.
- Removing the tonsils with a scalpel is the most common type of tonsillectomy, but there are other methods, including use of an ultrasonic scalpel, carbon dioxide laser, or removing by electrocautery, or burning the tonsils. Consult your ENT professional to determine the right method for you and your child.
- The surgery may be completed as outpatient or an overnight hospital stay.
- After surgery, your child will probably experience a very sore throat, which may impair his or her ability to speak, eat, and drink for a couple of days.
To know exactly what to expect from your child’s tonsillectomy, make sure to take some time to talk with your ENT specialist and give your child some time to ask any questions he or she has.
