“Are you put to sleep for a tonsillectomy?”
My 10-year-old son will have a tonsillectomy next week to remove his tonsils and his adenoids. Would he be put to sleep?
1 Answer
Yes, your son will receive general anesthesia ("go to sleep") for the procedure. Most commonly the anesthetic is delivered intravenously (IV) and, after induction, a breathing tube is placed by the anesthesiologist into to the trachea. This permits the surgeon to work while not competing with the anesthesiologist's oxygen mask; oxygen, air, and inhaled agents are delivered via the breathing tube. Medications (e.g., pain relievers, anti-nausea meds, and others) are delivered via the IV before, during, and after surgery.
