Tonsillectomy has certain risks, such as postoperative bleeding, wound infection, pneumonia and other complications. After standardized postoperative treatment of anti-infection and hemostasis, the risk of the above complications is generally small.
1.Bleeding:
(1) Primary hemorrhage: common causes are residual body left from surgery, incomplete intraoperative hemostasis, followed by frequent postoperative swallowing and coughing.
(2) Delayed hemorrhage: some of them are bleeding in 7~10 days after operation, which may be related to the shedding of wound pseudomembrane, infection of tonsil fossa, mechanical stimulation, etc. We should find out the site of bleeding, remove the blood clot in the fossa of tonsil, and use gauze to stop the bleeding by applying pressure, or we can also perform electrocoagulation and suturing under general anesthesia to stop the bleeding.
2. Wound infection: postoperative temperature persists above 38.5 degrees or sudden increase in temperature three days after surgery, palatal arch swelling, uneven growth of white membrane on the wound, etc., is secondary infection. It should be treated with antibiotics, commonly used are penicillin, azithromycin and so on, pay attention to those who are allergic to them are prohibited.
3. Lung complications: if too much foreign body or blood is inhaled into the lower respiratory tract during the operation , it will cause complications such as pneumonia. Blood and foreign bodies can be aspirated through bronchoscopy and treated with adequate antibiotics, which have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.
Tonsillectomy should be performed with strict indications and by experienced clinicians, with postoperative care as prescribed by the doctor.