Tonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures performed in pediatric patients, and at West River ENT, we conduct several hundred tonsillectomies annually for both children and adults.
In children, the most frequent reason for a tonsillectomy is sleep-disordered breathing. This condition occurs when enlarged tonsils and adenoids obstruct the airway, making it difficult for children to breathe properly at night. Parents often bring in videos of their children sleeping, which are extremely helpful in diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing.
In adults, recurrent sore throats are a leading cause for tonsillectomy. We are committed to providing comprehensive care to our patients, which includes thorough follow-up after surgery. We track outcomes and complications closely to ensure optimal recovery.
For pediatric patients, we ask parents to complete a pre-operative tonsil symptom score survey. Four months after surgery, parents are asked to fill out the same survey again. As illustrated in the graph below, our pediatric patients experience a significant reduction in tonsil-related symptoms.
We are proud to report that our complication rates are very low. In 2018, our rate of serious postoperative hemorrhage was just 0.6% (with a 0% rate in pediatric patients) and there were zero readmissions for dehydration. At West River ENT, we prioritize your health and recovery, ensuring the best possible outcomes for all our patients.