Patient Information & Education
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Tonsillectomy in Children
 

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common procedures performed in children. Physicians may recommend this procedure for chronic obstructive symptoms (snoring), recurrent infections, chronic tonsillitis, abnormal tonsil enlargement, or severe infections. This procedure is generally safe and is usually done as a day surgery procedure. Tonsillectomy usually takes about 30 minutes to perform, and it is done under general anesthesia (while the child is completely asleep). The trip to the hospital usually lasts about half a day, and the overall recovery takes about two to three weeks.

Tonsillectomy causes a severe sore throat for 7 to 10 days after surgery. Pain medications and antibiotics will be prescribed to help with the recovery. Ear pain, bad breath, difficulty swallowing, a change in voice, and mild weight loss are some of the expected symptoms after tonsillectomy and will improve with time. During the first 1-2 days of surgery, it is normal to have some blood in the saliva. The major risks of the surgery include bleeding (in less than 5% of cases) and the risks of anesthesia (very uncommon). An anesthesiologist is in attendance during the entire procedure for monitoring of the child and management of anesthesia. While precautions are always taken, injury to the lips, teeth, gums, and mouth may sometimes occur. Dehydration may occur easily in children, so fluid intake is very important during the recovery. Rare risks include a change in voice (if the roof of the mouth becomes dysfunctional), a change in the taste of foods, and narrowing of the nasopharynx (where the throat connects to the nose). It is important to stay in town during the recovery period after surgery (about two-three weeks) so that the physician can treat the child if necessary.

• If there is continuous bright red bleeding, the office should be notified immediately.
  
• . A follow-up appointment should be made from 1-3 weeks after surgery, depending on the recommendations of the surgeon.
  
• . Fever may occur up to 102 F after surgery. The prescribed pain medicine contains Tylenol to help with fever. It is important to encourage liquids to avoid dehydration. If fever persists despite the use of medications, notify the office.
  
• Sometimes pain may persist despite the use of the prescribed medications. Please do not give the child Advil, Motrin or other medications listed on the surgery instruction sheet, as this may lead to bleeding. Continue encouraging cool liquids to soothe the throat. There may be an increase in pain 4-6 days after surgery, which is a normal process as the surgical site heals. Encouragement of fluid intake is important. An ice pack to the neck area may be helpful for treating the pain.
  
• Activity should be restricted to quiet play at home for 7-10 days. Children can usually return to school after that time, but recess, gym classes, swimming, and other sports should be strictly restricted until about 2 weeks after surgery.
  
• Diet should begin with clear liquids (water, ice chips, Gatorade, Jello, popsicles,) on the day of surgery. Soft foods (ice cream, yogurts, scrambled eggs, rice, mashed potatoes) may be begun the next day. One can gradually begin a more normal diet, but scratchy foods such as crackers, carrots, popcorn, and chips should be avoided for 3 weeks. Do not be surprised if your child requires a soft diet for 3 weeks. This will improve slowly.
  
• Nausea/vomiting may occur after surgery because of anesthesia and pain medications. Hold food, liquids, and medications for 2 hours, and then resume a liquid diet. If the symptoms persist, notify the office.
• Please call the office at (972) 402-8404 for questions or concerns.