Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/16/2009

Question
HI DR. LEVY...LAST THURSDAY I HAD LASER SURGERY AS AN OUTPATIENT BY EN ENT TO REMOVE LEUCOPLASTIC AREAS ON THE TONGUE.  I WAS ADMINISTERED A GENERAL ANESTHESIA, WHICH I WAS TOLD WOULD TAKE FROM 1/2 TO 1 HOUR.  NOW IT IS SUNDAY, AND THE BACK OF MY THROAT (SOFT TISSUE AREA EXTENDING BEYOND THE UPPER PALATE) IS SORE, AND FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE, LIKE IT IS SWOLLEN.  THE ONLY WAY I CAN DISCRIBE IT IS THE SENSATION ONE GETS WHEN THE BACK OF THE THROAT VIBRATES DURING SNORING.  IS THIS NORMAL?  THE OUTPATIENT FACILITY SAYS IT SHOULD RESOLVE IN A WEEK, BUT I AM CONCERNED.  THANKS  

Answer
It is normal and should go away in a week. It could be caused by the laster surgery (the tongue is very vascular so swells up pretty easily) or the endotracheal tube they used for the anesthesia. As long as you are not having trouble breathing and it's not getting worse, don't worry, it should resolve.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston