What are the potential complications or side effects of tonsillectomy?
After tonsillectomy, the most common clinical sequelae are mainly a sense of foreign body in the throat, as well as postoperative bleeding, infection, and dryness of the throat. Nevertheless, as tonsillectomy surgery has become relatively mature, the likelihood of these sequelae occurring is relatively low if one chooses a reputable hospital for the surgery. Here are the main sequelae:
1.
After tonsillectomy, there may be soft tissue contracture in the tonsillar cavity, causing the patient to feel a sense of oppression in the throat.
2.
Tonsillectomy may sometimes damage a small gland at the superior level of the tonsillar fossa, leading to discomfort such as dryness in the oral cavity and throat.
3.
Bleeding is generally divided into two types: primary and secondary. Bleeding that occurs within 24 hours after surgery is called primary bleeding, which can be caused by incomplete hemostasis during surgery or by the shedding of tied glands due to severe coughing by the patient after surgery.
4.
This infection can manifest as tonsillitis, with redness and superficial ulcers on the tonsils. Sore throat may worsen 4-5 days after surgery, even accompanied by ear pain and lymphadenopathy in the mandibular angle. The patient may feel a sense of foreign body and tension in the throat.
