Coblation technology is a cutting-edge technology that has changed over the last few years the way we operate by evolving traditional techniques. It has significant benefits for both the surgeon and the patient, principally by minimizing intraoperative blood loss and postoperative pain.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The whole procedure lasts from 30 minutes to one hour and the patient usually stays in the hospital overnight.
Why remove your tonsils?
The main indication for the removal of tonsils is a history of frequent tonsillitis that require repeated antibiotic treatments.
Another reason is whether they are large and block the airway. This can occur with significant snoring at night and short breathing pauses (apneas).
After the surgery:
- you are likely to feel nauseous and you may need to take some medicine to treat it. Usually nausea subsides quickly.
- your neck will hurt for about ten days. You can take painkillers regularly, half an hour before meals, for at least the first week, but not aspirin, because this increases the chance of bleeding.
- you are likely to have a sore throat. This happens because the neck and ears have a common rib. It’s normal.
- you should start eating as soon as possible because this will help your throat heal faster and reduce postoperative pain and will also reduce the risk of bleeding.
- drink plenty of fluids and prefer soft, non-spicy foods. Chewing a chewing gum can also relieve the pain.
- the area of your throat where the tonsils used to be will be white in color – this is normal during healing.
- the small stitches you may notice on the back of your neck will fall on their own.
What to watch for:
Some patients may suffer a post-operative an infection, especially if they are not feeding properly. Common symptoms are fever and a bad smell coming from the throat. If this happens, communication with the treating physician is necessary.
Adults and children need 10 days to 2 weeks of absence from work or school. Patients should stay at home, away from crowds and smokers. Contact with people who are coughing or having colds should also be avoided.
