What Causes Pain And Swelling In The Throat Post Tonsillectomy?

Brief Answer:
you need to Visit your nearest ER at the earliest....

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX, Welcome to HCM..

I've gone through your query and understand your concern..

Now to begin with, 9 days post tonsillectomy , the kind of swelling you've mentioned is not at all usual..

Certainly, every surgeon ensures to put the patients under proper antibiotic coverage for Pre and Post Operative periods(which is no exception in your case too I believe)..

Now I don't understand, to which doctor have you been , was it the anaesthesiologist ? Because symptoms like yours should not be left unattended as further delay at this time can only cause complications..

The kind of swelling and problems you've mentioned can be due to secondary inflammation or some post -operative collection of fluids or even secondary infection(bacterial most likely) or even hematoma formation..

Infection during intubation is quite unlikely as they are mostly done in the OT under strict aseptic precautions and controlled environment.. If you're having any hoarseness of voice or irritation while speaking or change of speech - then it could've been due to intubation..

Do saline gurgling(luke warm) with 2 drops of Betadine solution, Chlorhexidine mouth rinse two to three times a day and Steam inhalation three to four times a day - it'll provide some relief..

If there's significant swelling without infection then steroid will be of help but to ensure that , you must get the area checked by the ENT surgeon who'd operated you or the ENT on Call at your nearest Urgent Care / ER..

As there's progressive inflammation, they can compress the respiratory passage causing the type of pain and difficulty in breathing that you've explained..

You might need inhalational steroid therapy along with nebulizations also depending on the findings..

So if you can't get a hold of your operating ENT Surgeon immediately, then I'd strongly advice you to check in to your nearest ER for the ENT on call to get it promptly checked thoroughly externally as well as internally with laryngoscopy (fiber-optic preferrably)..

Please don't delay any more and please get yourself examined by the relevant specialist only(ENT surgeon in this case), to get the best diagnosis and management accordingly..

Let me know how it goes , wish you fast recovery..

Take Care
Kind Regards

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