Overview
Clinical Meaning
Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the palatine tonsils, performed most commonly for recurrent tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnea in children.
Tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the palatine tonsils, performed most commonly for recurrent tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnea in children. The tonsillar fossa is a highly vascular area supplied by branches of the external carotid artery. After surgical excision, a fibrin clot (white eschar) forms over the wound bed and sloughs off naturally over 7-10 days. The greatest risk is post-operative hemorrhage, which can occur within the first 24 hours (primary) or 5-10 days post-operatively (secondary) when the eschar separates. The nurse monitors for bleeding, pain, hydration status, and dietary progression, reporting concerns immediately.
