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Tonsillectomy and/or Adenoidectomy
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Tonsillectomy is removal of the tonsils, which are on either side of the back of the throat. They are resected if they are constantly or repeatedly infected, block swallowing or obstruct the airway.
Adenoidectomy is removal of the adenoid, which is at the back wall of the nasal cavity just behind and above the soft palate. It is taken out if it causes chronic sinusitis, ear infections, or upper airway obstruction.
General Instructions:
Pain management: Surprisingly little pain occurs following adenoidectomy alone. A moderate amount of throat pain is expected after tonsillectomy. Nonalcohol Tylenol® every 4 hours and ibuporfen every six hours provide good pain control. The best time to eat or drink is one-half hour after taking medication. Avoid aspirin, aspergum, and gargling as hemorrhaging may ensue. Continued sipping helps to break the muscle spasm and alleviate some of the pain.
The pain may come in two peaks: the first is within the first two days and the second is about 4-6 days postop. The second peak is often accompanied by ear pain. There is nothing wrong with the ear itself, the pain just radiates to this location.
There are no dietary restrictions following only an adenoidectomy.
After tonsillectomy, calorie intake is not as important as maintaining good fluid intake. Dehydration only makes the patient feel worse. Have a variety of beverages around such as apple and grape juice, broths, Gatorade®, water, etc. Avoid acidic liquids such as orange, grapefruit, and tomatoe juice as they may cause more pain. Soft foods such as Jell-O, mashed potatoes, macaroni, pancakes, soups, eggs, and cooked cereals help to support nutrition. Avoid hot and spicy foods as they may burn. The last food consistency to add is rough or scratchy – eating these before ten days have elapsed since surgery may knock off the scabs in the back of the throat and cause hemorrhaging.
After adenoidectomy alone, activity can return immediately to normal. However, following tonsillectomy I recommend limited activity for the first several days and staying away from visitors and crowds so as not to get ill.
The Operative Site
When you look into the back of the throat after tonsil removal, there will be two white-to-yellow patches that are normal. Bad breath is common.
Warning Signs
After tonsillectomy, you are to call in the event of:
- Fever over 102.5°
- Severe pain unrelieved by the medication.
- Inability to keep food and liquid down.
After adenoidectomy, you are to call in the event of:
- Stiff neck, fever, sore throat, very foul breath (infected adenoidectomy site).
After either tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, you are to call in the event of:
- Lethargy, fever, and dry mucous membranes (dehydration).
- Bright red bleeding from either nose or mouth, even if it stops, because a larger bleed may follow (blood streaks in the nasal or oral secretions are of no consequence.
PLEASE CALL DRS. LOURY OR SCHAFFER AT (970) 493-5334 WITH PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS.
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