Tonsillectomy

Tonsillectomy removes the tonsils and is one of the most common operations in the UK. It is considered when sore throats are frequent or severe enough that the benefit of removing the tonsils outweighs the risks. You may still get the occasional sore throat afterwards, but they should be less frequent and less severe. Mild sore throats are not caused by the tonsils, so removing them will not prevent those.

How it is done

Under general anaesthetic. Mr Gane uses either bipolar dissection or coblation, a low-temperature plasma that removes the tissue without burning and generally causes less post-operative pain. He uses coblation for most cases, and will discuss which method suits you.

Recovery and risks

• Throat pain for up to two weeks; keep eating and drinking normally, which actually aids healing
• A mild fever in the first day or two is a normal reaction, not an infection
• Bleeding can occur any time in the two weeks after surgery; about 1 in 5 adults are kept in for observation and about 1 in 100 need a second operation to stop it
• Go straight to A&E for any fresh red blood, blood clots, difficulty breathing, or red or brown vomit

Alternatives

Tonsillitis can be managed with painkillers, antibiotics and salt-water gargles. Without surgery, severe infections can occasionally spread to form an abscess (quinsy), though sometimes the sore throats settle on their own.

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This page is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice. The right treatment depends on your assessment.