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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffTonsillectomy, like other surgeries, has certain risks:
- Reactions to anesthetics. Medication to make you sleep during surgery (general anesthesia) often causes minor, short-term problems, such as headache, nausea, vomiting or muscle soreness. Serious, long-term problems are rare.
- Swelling. Swelling of the tongue and soft roof of the mouth (soft palate) can cause breathing problems, particularly during the first few hours after the procedure.
- Bleeding during surgery. In rare cases, severe bleeding occurs during surgery and requires additional treatment and a longer hospital stay.
- Bleeding during healing. Bleeding can occur during the healing process, particularly if the scab from the wound is dislodged too soon. Emergency surgery to stop the bleeding is riskier than scheduled surgeries that allow for appropriate pre-surgical safeguards, such as fasting.
- Infection. Rarely, surgery can lead to an infection that requires further treatment.
References
- Fact sheet: Tonsils and adenoids. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsilsAdenoids.cfm. Accessed March 21, 2010.
- Wetmore R. Tonsils and adenoids. In: Kliegman R, et al., eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/193178650-2/0/1608/0.html. Accessed April 5, 2010.
- Tonsillopharyngitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch090/ch090i.html. Accessed March 21, 2010.
- Tonsillar cellulitis and abscess. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual of Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec19/ch222/ch222b.html. Accessed April 5, 2010.
- Fact sheet: Tonsils and adenoids post-op. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsilsAdenoidsPostop.cfm. Accessed March 21, 2010.
- How safe is anesthesia? What are the risks? American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.asahq.org/patientEducation/resource.htm. Accessed May 12, 2010.
- Fact sheet: Tonsillectomy procedures. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tonsillectomyProcedures.cfm. Accessed March 21, 2010.
- Orvidas LJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 19, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 13, 2010.
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