Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Preparing for Surgery
For at least two weeks before surgical procedures, children should refrain from taking NSAIDs such as Motrin or Advil. These may cause post-operative bleeding. If your child or family has had any problems with anesthesia, the surgeon should be informed. If your child is taking any other medications, has sickle cell anemia, has a bleeding disorder, is pregnant, has concerns about the transfusion of blood, or has used steroids in the past year, the surgeon should be informed. Generally, after midnight prior to the operation, no food or liquids may be taken by mouth, including chewing gum, mouthwashes, throat lozenges, toothpaste, water. Anything in the stomach may be vomited when anesthesia is induced, and this is dangerous. A nurse from the hospital will call the night before surgery to go over these guidelines.
Talking to Your Child about T & A
Talk to your child about his/her feelings and provide strong reassurance and support throughout the process. Encourage the idea that the procedure will make him/her healthier. Be with your child as much as possible before and after the surgery. Tell him/her to expect a sore throat after surgery. Reassure your child that the operation does not remove any important parts of the body, and that he/she will not look any different afterward. If your child has a friend who has had this surgery, it may be helpful to talk about it with that friend.
The Day of Surgery
When your child arrives, the anesthesiologist or nursing staff will meet with your family to review the patient's history. Your child will then be taken to the operating room, and your child will be given an anesthetic. Intravenous fluids are usually given during and after surgery. After the operation, your child will be taken to the recovery area and you will join your child shortly thereafter. Recovery room staff will observe your child until discharged. Every patient is special, and recovery times vary for each individual. Many patients are released after 2–6 hours. Others are kept overnight. Intensive care may be needed for select cases.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Stay reasonably quiet for 5 days.
2. Avoid vigorous coughing or clearing of the throat.
3. Objectionable odors from the mouth are to be expected. Mouth may be rinsed with warm
salt or soda solution. Avoid gargles.
4. Mild ear pain, especially at night or when swallowing, is common. Heat may be used for
ear pain. Patient may also experience jaw soreness, tongue soreness and neck soreness.
Expect more pain the 4th, 5th, and 6th days after surgery.
5. Diet as follows:
A. Abundant water.
B. Liquids (soft drinks, warm tea, Kool Pops, Ice popsicles, apple juice, grape
juice, etc.) and soft foods (sherbet, cooked cereals, jello, pudding, custard,
apple sauce, mashed potatoes, etc.) for 10 days.
C. Then gradually return to a full diet adding meats and solid foods slowly.
D. Avoid hot or highly seasoned foods and citrus fruit juices for 10 days.
E. If patient is refusing liquids, encourage them to take an appropriate dose of
pain medication, wait 1/2 hour, then try liquids again.
6. The following conditions are expected: swallowing problems, vomiting, low-grade, fever, throat pain, and ear pain.
7. Call Dr. Kim if any of the following conditions arises:
a. Persistent bleeding.
b. Moderate to high fever; 101 degrees or above.
c. Bad cough.
8. Your child may return to school or day care whenever he/she is able to drink fluid and feels up to it- usually in 5-10 days.
9. Your child is recommended to stay away from gym for 3 weeks.
10. Your child must stay away from NSAIDS, Aspirin, Motrin, or Advil for 14 days after surgery.
11. Check up following surgery is usually in 2 weeks. Please make an appointment the day of discharge from the hospital.
