Tonsillectomy For Adults
- Posted on: Oct 15 2022
Tonsillectomy can be used as a treatment procedure for cancer in adults who still have their tonsils. However, the most common reason for the procedure is tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) or infections around the throat that do not go away with other treatment options.
Tonsillitis can cause several other symptoms, including painful or difficult swallowing, fever, and difficulty breathing. It can also be a primary cause of obstructive sleep apnea, which can cause a host of other major health issues.
Thankfully, a tonsillectomy is a safe and quick procedure that removes both tonsils and helps reduce the occurrence of infections in and around the throat. While children undergo general anesthesia during a tonsillectomy, many adults only require a local anesthetic to numb the area.
The procedure itself takes between 20 and 45 minutes, and patients are monitored in a recovery room for several hours afterward. Patients then are able to return home that same day but should plan for between 10 and 14 days off from work or school.
Depending on the type of anesthesia used, patients may feel groggy or nauseous for the first 24 hours after surgery. A sore throat also may occur and can be helped with plenty of fluids and soft or liquid foods such as soup or applesauce. Other than avoiding certain medications such as aspirin for the two weeks following surgery, recovery is generally easy and painless.
If you are an adult with your tonsils and have a recurring infection or sore throat that does not go away with other treatments, contact The ENT and Allergy Centers of Texas in the North Plano Area to see if a tonsillectomy can help. Call the team at 972-984-1050 or visit www.enttx.com to schedule an appointment today.
Posted in: Tonsils & Adenoids
