There are many techniques used for tonsillectomy. In the United States, some degree of electrocautery assisted dissection is most commonly employed, because of the ability to rapidly stop bleeding. Use of lasers has been studied and considered by most surgeons. We feel that laser use is primarily a marketing gimmack at this point, since it offers no apparent advantage over certain cautery techniques, and has some very real hazards and extra costs. Most surgical procedures share the general risks of anesthesia, bleeding, and infection.
Serious infections are very rare.
Most often the post-op speech is actually more normal. An occasional patient goes home, but comes back to the hospital, because of poor liquid consumption or bleeding. See our tonsillectomy post-operative instruction page. The information above, although based on a thorough knowledge and careful review of current medical literature, is the opinion of the doctors at Texas Pediatric Surgical Associates and is presented to inform you about surgical conditions. It is not meant to contradict any information you may receive from your personal physician and should not be used to make decisions about surgical treatment.