An operation to remove one or both of the tonsils if they are regularly infected (tonsillitis) or enlarged
Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest ENT operations performed due to its effectiveness
Tonsillectomy is performed under general anaesthetic as a day case.
The tonsils are removed through the mouth using diathermy.
The procedure takes twenty to thirty minutes.
After surgery, you will have a painful throat which can last for up to two weeks. You will be prescribed several different types of painkiller which need to be taken regularly, thirty minutes before meals, so you are able to eat as normal a diet as possible.
You will be advised to take two weeks off work afterwards.
Although the operation is routine and straightforward, very occasionally bleeding can occur. This happens in about five percent of patients, usually five to ten days after the operation.
Less than one percent of patients who undergo a tonsillectomy need to go back to theatre to stop the bleeding.
