What can go wrong after a tonsillectomy?
After the procedure Common issues after a tonsillectomy include the following: Moderate to severe pain in the throat for one to two weeks. Pain in the ears, neck or jaw. Nausea and vomiting for a few days.
What is the most common post op complication?
The most common postoperative complications include fever, small lung blockages, infection, pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Does tonsillectomy increase risk of infection?
Among nearly 12,000 children who underwent tonsillectomy, the absolute risk for upper respiratory infection (URI) increased by 19%.
What are signs of infection after surgery?
Call your provider if your surgical wound has any signs of infection:
- Pus or drainage.
- Bad smell coming from the wound.
- Fever, chills.
- Hot to touch.
- Redness.
- Pain or sore to touch.
How do you tell if your tonsils are infected?
Common signs and symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- Red, swollen tonsils.
- White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils.
- Sore throat.
- Difficult or painful swallowing.
- Fever.
- Enlarged, tender glands (lymph nodes) in the neck.
- A scratchy, muffled or throaty voice.
- Bad breath.
What antibiotics are given after tonsillectomy?
Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) is a B-lactamase stable antibiotic and has a broad antimicrobial spectrum that includes oropharyngeal anaerobes, Gram-positive cocci, and most Gram-negative bacilli. It is highly active against the common pathogens in chronic recurrent tonsillitis [3].
How long after surgery can you get an infection?
A surgical wound infection can develop at any time from 2-3 days after surgery until the wound has visibly healed (usually 2-3 weeks after the operation). Very occasionally, an infection can occur several months after an operation.
What happens if you get an infection after surgery?
A surgical site infection may cause redness, delayed healing, fever, pain, tenderness, warmth around the incision or even swelling. In some cases, SSIs will cause pus to drain out of the wound site and cause the incision to reopen.
Does having your tonsils removed affect your immune system?
Tonsillectomy has no counter-productive effect on the immune system. It actually improves the immune response unblocking the suppression to which it was subject. Tonsillectomy does not seem to lead to any significant long-term impairment of salivary defense capacity.
Is infection after surgery serious?
Infections are caused by germs that enter your body during or after surgery. In severe cases, SSIs can cause complications, including sepsis, an infection in your blood that can result in organ failure.
Are there any side effects to a tonsillectomy?
Like any other surgery, tonsillectomy is also not without risks. Some common side effects of this procedure include nausea and vomiting, throat pain, difficulty swallowing, low-grade fever, bad breath, earaches, and fatigue. However, this procedure also has some big risks that include:
Why do I have a sore throat after tonsillectomy?
Coughing and abnormal colored mucus: Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection could mean you’re tonsils are infected. People who undergo tonsillectomy experience some pain as they recover from the surgery. Apart from this you may also have a sore throat and feel pain in your jaws, ears or neck.
What to do if your child has a fever after tonsillectomy?
While children have a fever, they should play quietly or remain in bed. If the fever persists (more than two days) or if a higher fever develops, call. Fever may indicate that you have not taken in sufficient fluids or may have an infection. Post-operative bleeding is unusual, but it can occur up to two weeks after surgery.
Can a doctor prescribe antibiotics for a tonsillectomy?
While it happens rarely, there is always a possibility. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.