Hypoglossal nerve paralysis following tonsillectomy.

While tonsillectomy is the commonest operation performed by otolaryngologists, paralysis of the hypoglossal nerve following tonsillectomy is not well recognized in the otolaryngology text or literature. We report a case of hypoglossal nerve paralysis following tonsillectomy and discuss the theories on the pathoaetiology as described in the predominantly anaesthetics literature. The likely causes of nerve injury are described and precautions are suggested to help avoid this problem.