title: Surgery of the tonsils.
abstract: The palatine tonsils are paired aggregates of lymphoid tissue that are surgically removed as a result of primary tonsillar disease, or are extirpated in an effort to decrease upper airway resistance in conjunction with other procedures of the oropharynx. Complications from tonsillectomy can arise for three reasons: 1) the effects of tonsil disease on the function of the oropharyngeal regions; 2) surgical dissection in the region; or 3) postoperative complication of the insult to tissue. Thorough preoperative patient evaluation, gentle tissue handling plus meticulous hemostasis, and careful observation during the postoperative period are stressed in this discussion of problems in tonsillar surgery.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Baton Rouge.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Dean
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D012008:Recurrence; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*