Tonsillectomy for 18 year old

[rilesnic]

My daughter is 18 and just had her 3rd peritonsillar (sp) abcess this past week. Her first one was in March of this year. After 2 shots of Rocephin and a round of Cleocin, she responded without getting it drained. She asked about tonsil removal then and the doctor did not want to send her to an ENT. Her next one was in June of this year. We caught it very early and the Cleocin itself worked. This past one was a doozy and our PCP sent her to the ENT after 2 grams of Rocephin and being on the Cleocin. The ENT gave her a PCN shot and a steroid shot and she responded well without him having to drain. He said her tonsils should come out and that the treatment for abcesses is to remove the tonsils. He said there is a risk of bleeding after surgery. My question is, is there anything that can be done to reduce her risk of post-op bleeding? I have always heart that the older you are the worse the surgery for tonsills. I know they are very close to that carotid artery, and I also know it is dangerous for her to continue to get abcesses, especially since it is taking more and more meds for her to respond too. Any insight is appreciated.

[Londres70]

Oh, I am so glad your daughter is back on her feet.  Now she can get back to living life.  

All the best dear.  

[rilesnic]

Well, the surgery was a success! Of course, when we went for pre-op and she had to sign her own release forms when they were telling her all the risks, she was in tears and having second thoughts. I told her it was because she was feeling better and that she should try to remember those horrible abcesses she had. The day of the surgery she was the first patient in and the last out. The surgeon told us her tonsils didn't want to come out. She had a little trouble waking from the diprovan and dilaudid, but I am the same way (must be hereditary). She began eating and drinking that night and after 8 days of pain meds, antibiotics, and a lot of rest, she started feeling better. Wednesday will be 3 weeks and she is back at work and school. Thanks to Londres and Margot for commenting on my post. You both put a very worried Mom, at ease. Best to you both!

[rilesnic]

Thank you Margot, I appreciate you sharing you story. My daughter has pretty much insisted she wants them out and I told her she would have to drink constantly to help with the scabs. She has already put in to work that she will be off for 2 weeks and is taking a medical leave of absence from college so hopefully she will do well. I spoke with a friend today who was a surgical nurse and she said they always used lemon juice to help stop post op bleeding. I may wake her every few hours to drink as well so she doesn't get too dry at night. I am also going to put a cool-mist humidifier in her room to help with the dry air.

[Margot49]

My daughter was plagued with constant infections (no abcesses)  but she would get very ill.  Docs kept diagnosing Mono,which she did have in High School.  This was all going on when she was away at college.  One time when she got sick, she got herself home and I took her in to see our GP and he said it was Mono, which I knew it was not.  Long story, I ended up taking her to ER and the doc there immediately checked for an abcess, as her neck was by then swollen to twice it's size.  They immediately put her on IV antibiotics.  I got her in to see a good ENT doc here and he said it was her tonsils and advised they be removed.  Long story short, we set up the surgery at the end of the school year.  She was in her early 20's.  The doctor told her beforehand that she would have to stay in town for at least 2 weeks until they did follow up.  I kept her quiet and on a soft diet and plenty of fluids.  It was a rough few days at first but she recovered and went back to her job and school.  She did have a slight bleeding problem after that, called the doc and he recommended she suck on some ice chips, which resolved the problem.  I had the same concerns you do but now, a few years later, we are both glad she had it done. She is not getting sick near as often as she used to.  I would definitely consider doing the surgery and have a good talk with your doctor and your daughter about the importance of post-op care and recovery.  

[Londres70]

Yes, it is scary when a family member especially your child has to have surgery; completely understandable, however, if you leave the tonsils in she will be living on antibiotics and miserable dealing with constant infection plus overworking her immune system and at high risk of developing a systemic infection.

She will do ok dear.  

Happy New Year/Bonne Annee!


Londres :)  

[rilesnic]

Thank you! I needed that little push that we were doing the right thing in having them removed. She is scheduled for Jan. 24th. I know the risks of the surgery are far less than the risks of the constant infections. Thank you again and Happy New Year!

[Londres70]

There is nothing that can be done to reduce her risk of post-op bleeding as with any surgery there are risks that are taken.  

The frequent infections are overworking her immune system.  Plus, she is at high risk for developing a systemic infection r/t her tonsils.  

Have them removed.