Tonsillectomy// Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UVPPP) St. Vincent’s Factsheet

What is a ? What will happen on the day of your operation? A Tonsillectomy is an operation to take out your We ask that you shower before you come to hospital, because they are infected and swollen or and remove your jewellery, make up and nail polish. enlarged or enlarged. Make-up and nail polish can interfere with some medical procedures. What is an Adenoidectomy? It is advised that you leave valuables such as jewellery An Adenoidectomy is an operation to scrape out the and large sums of money at home to decrease the from the back of your . The adenoids possibility of items being misplaced and theft. are a piece of fleshy tissue located at the back of the throat. They are usually taken out because of . On the day of your , please make your way to the St. Vincent’s Day of Surgery Admission Area (DOSA), What is a UVPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty)? which is located on the first floor of the In-patient A UVPPP is an operation to remove the uvula, located Services Building, Princes Street, Fitzroy. on the edge of the . The uvula is the soft muscle When you arrive the nursing staff will check your pulse that hangs from the back of your throat. This operation and pressure. is done to help you breathe’ better when you are asleep For your surgery you will need an anaesthetic. and may help reduce or stop snoring. The anaesthetist (the doctor who will give you the What happens before my operation? anaesthetic) will meet with you before your surgery to talk to you about your health and the best type Some patients will need to attend a pre-admission of anaesthetic for you. clinic. At this clinic, the health care team will ask you about your health, medication and lifestyle. A general anaesthetic (anaesthetic that puts you They may test your blood’ take x-rays and an to sleep) is normally used for this surgery. electrocardiogram (ECG). St. Vincent’s is a busy hospital so please be aware Your doctor will talk to you about what medications that you may need to wait up to three hours for to take before you come into hospital. It is important your operation. to tell your doctor if you are taking any blood thinning medications, such as aspirin or warfarin. What happens during the surgery? Tonsillectomy Please bring your medications into hospital with you. Whilst you are asleep, your mouth will be opened The staff will let you know about what to bring to and your tonsils will be clamped with an instrument hospital, and when to stop eating and drinking before and cut off. This could also be done with a . your surgery. Adenoidectomy If you do not need to attend a clinic, we will telephone This procedure is usually performed with a curette. and tell you when you are scheduled for your operation A curette is an instrument used to scrap away and what to bring to hospital. You may also receive your adenoids. a letter in the mail informing you of your surgery date UVPPP and time. After you are put to sleep with an anaesthetic, the Please make sure you confirm your surgery date with surgeon will remove your uvula. Your mouth will the hospital. be opened and the surgeon will use a or a laser The night before your surgery, the hospital will call to take out your uvula. you between 2.30pm and 7pm to inform you of the These operations normally take 1 hour. time you need to stop eating and drinking before your surgery and what time to come into hospital.

Factsheet July 2007 Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy/ Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UVPPP) continued

What happens after the operation? What should I do once I get home? You will wake up from the anaesthetic in the recovery – Your Doctor may recommend 1-2 weeks off work room, and be transferred to your ward shortly depending on the type of surgery you have in order afterwards. A nurse will monitor your blood pressure, to give your body the best chance of recovery. pulse, temperature and oxygen levels regularly. – You may have a for 2 to 3 weeks after The nurses will have a look inside your mouth after the operation. Make sure you continue to take your surgery to make sure there is no . tablets for pain to help you. You should also try to eat and drink as normal a diet for you as possible. You may have an oxygen mask on to help you breathe’ Don’t just eat jelly and ice cream. and an intravenous drip (IV) in your arm giving you – Avoid eating spicy food or fruit juices for at least fluid. The IV will be removed once you are tolerating 10 days after the operation as they may cause your your food and drink. You will not be permitted to eat throat some irritation or pain. and drink until four hours after surgery. This is because – Do not smoke. you may feel sick, vomit and have pain after your surgery. Do not take any Aspirin, Disprin, and Aspro, If you feel sick or have pain after surgery, a nurse can (for example Nurofen) and any other anti-inflammatory give you tablets or an injection to help you feel better. drugs, Vitamin E, garlic supplements and Gingko If you have a UVPPP you may experience some sharp biloba. These can cause bleeding. pain when you swallow food or drink water. Your pain There is a small possibility of bleeding from your throat may be treated in a number of ways. This will be decided 7 to 10 days after your operation. If you cannot stop by you’ your doctor and nurses. the bleeding by placing ice to the back of your neck you You will be encouraged to drink and eat, as this will will need to go to the nearest emergency department stop the small amounts of blood from causing clots as soon as possible. in your mouth. Contacts When can I go home? Ear, Nose and Throat Unit If you have a Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy you St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne will be required to stay in hospital for 1 night. PO Box 2900 If you have a UVPPP you may have to stay in hospital Fitzroy Victoria 3065 for 2 nights depending on how much pain you have. Telephone: 9288 2211 Liaison Nurse: 9288 2755 On the day you are discharged you will be able to leave Waiting List Officer: 9288 2271 the hospital between 10am and 11am so the room can be prepared for another patient. Before you leave the ward: This information is intended as a guideline only. – A follow-up appointment at St. Vincent’s Clinics will If you have further questions or concerns, please ask be made for you your doctor. – Medication will be given to you if prescribed by your doctor – A medical certificate if required will be given to you (please make sure you ask for one) – A letter will be electronically sent from the hospital to your local doctor (GP) Please remember to take all your belongings and x-rays home with you.

Factsheet July 2007