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HOME CARE FOLLOWING TONSILLECTOMY OR ADENOIDECTOMY

Please follow these instructions to ensure a safe recovery:

            BLEEDING:

Go to the Emergency Room immediately for ANY bleeding.  The Emergency Room doctor will check to see if it is serious and notify your surgeon if necessary.

Observe your child for increased swallowing or excessive drainage in the back of the throat, this could be due to bleeding.

A white membrane normally forms in the throat and the breath may be unpleasant for 2 weeks.

           V0MITING: 

Vomiting after removal of tonsils and/or adenoids can be a common occurrence, but it should go away within 24 hours.

Small amounts of dark brown blood in the vomit during the first few hours is expected.

            ACTIVITY:

While sleeping, position the patient on their side or stomach for the first 24 hours.

Rest and limit activity for 2 weeks.   No gym class or exertional activity for 2 weeks.  (1 week if adenoidectomy alone).

Children may resume school after one week, if they feel well enough.

            DIET:

Avoid crunchy foods or foods with sharp edges for 2 weeks (2 days for adenoidectomy alone).  Avoid the use of straws.

Give clear, cool fluids in frequent small amounts to lessen the effect of the surgery on the throat.  Bland, lukewarm foods are easiest to swallow.  Acidic juices cause burning.

            DISCOMFORT:

The amount of pain felt is different for each person, but pain is expected for 1-2 weeks.

No aspirin or ibuprofen products until seen by your surgeon.

Severe ear pain is also common after this surgery, usually begins on third day and lasts 1 week.

Tylenol with codeine for adults or tylenol with hydrocodone for older children may be given for severe pain but it sometimes causes nausea or constipation.  Milk of Magnesia or prune juices may relieve the discomfort.

Consider giving plain Tylenol every 4 hours for the first few days.

If Tylenol is refused, it is available in suppository form at equivalent doses.

If the child is refusing fluids:  Give Tylenol first and then 30 minutes later, offer liquids.

A cool mist humidifier may help keep the throat and mouth moist.

  NOTIFY YOUR DOCTOR WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

            -Difficulty in breathing.

            -Bleeding.

            -Not drinking fluids after 24 hours.

            -Excessive vomiting.

            -Temperature greater than 101 degrees orally.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

-Call ______________________ to schedule a post-op appointment to see your doctor in 3 weeks.

 

 


Last modified: January 12, 2016