Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast. My name is Tom, and in this episode, I'm going to be

talking to you about tonsillectomies. And if you want to follow along with written notes on this topic,

you can follow along at Zerodefinals.com slash tonsillectomy, or in the E&T section of the

Zero Definals Pediatrics book. So let's get straight into it.

Tonsalectomy is the name given to the surgical removal of the tonsils.

Removing the tonsils prevents further episodes of tonsillitis, although patients can still

suffer with a sore throat. The procedure is usually performed as a day case and patients

go home six to eight hours after the operation, after a period of observation. So what are the

indications for a tonsillectomy? A common question you'll get asked from patients and parents is

whether a child needs a tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis.

The nice clinical knowledge summaries give the number of episodes required for a

tonsillectomy and these are seven or more in one year, five per year for two years or three

per year for three years. Other indications for a tonsillectomy are recurrent tonsillar abscesses,

specifically two episodes or more,

or enlarged tonsils that are causing difficulty with breathing,

swallowing or snoring.

So what are the complications of tonsillectomy?

Pain, particularly a sore throat where the tonsillot tissue has been removed, and this can last up to two weeks. Damage to teeth, infection, post-tonsulectomy bleeding, which we'll talk more about shortly,

and the risks associated with the general anaesthetic.

Let's talk in more detail about post-tonsolectomy bleeding.

Post-tonsolectomy bleeding is the main significant complication after a tonsillectomy.

Significant bleeding can occur in up to 5% of patients who've had a tonsillectomy and it requires urgent management.

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