There are
several important details about your surgery you should be familiar with.
Tonsil and/or adenoid surgery requires that the patient be asleep. A flexible
breathing tube is passed through the mouth, going down just past the vocal
cords. This allows the anesthesia machine to fill the lungs with oxygen
while the surgeon is busy working in the back of the throat.
While the patient sleeps, all vital signs, such as heartbeat, oxygen levels
and respirations, are continuously monitored. The tonsils are removed
using special instruments designed for the procedure. An electric instrument
called a "bovie" is used to minimize bleeding.
The adenoids are usually removed using a curved instrument and a small
mirror which allows the surgeon to see the adenoids located up under the
soft palate.