How to Help a Child Recover From a Tonsillectomy

Tonsils are typically removed if a child has reccurring tonsillitis or ear infections, or suffers from sleep apnea. A tonsillectomy is performed under general anesthesia. This outpatient procedure is fairly quick and the patient typically goes home the same day. Stitches are not required but the pain during recovery can be severe. Expect recovery to take 10 days.

Instructions

1. Start pain medication and administer doses as recommended. It's critical that you stay ahead of the pain in the first week and not let the medicine wear off to the point that the child is in severe pain. Most doctors recommend giving the medicine during the night so the child does not wake up in extreme pain.

2. Provide plenty of cold fluids and make sure the child drinks on a regular basis to prevent dehydration. Have a variety of juices and sports drinks available. If your child refuses to drink anything, try sucking on ice cubes, ice pops or popsicles.

3. Serve soft foods until the pain is gone. Bananas, Jell-o and pasta are good choices. If all the child will eat is ice cream or pudding then that is better than refusing to eat at all. Try to get the child to eat more on good days, which may be followed by a bad day.

4. Place a humidifier near the child, especially at night to help relieve discomfort.

5. Keep your child away from other sick people. The throat is very susceptible to infections during the healing process.

6. Call your doctor if problems occur, such as a high fever, bleeding or symptoms of dehydration.

7. Return to the doctor for the scheduled post-surgery checkup.

Tips & Warnings

• Have movies and other activities planned that a bedridden child can do to keep his mind off the pain.

• Get the prescription for pain medication filled before surgery so you can go straight home and give the first dose of medicine.

• Most children will lose weight because it is too painful to eat after a tonsillectomy, but then quickly gain it back.

• Don't be surprised if the first couple days are relatively pain-free and then the pain becomes more severe. Some doctors apply a long-acting anesthetic to help with initial pain. Also the pain level can increase as the throat begins to heal.

• Do not feed your child hard, crunchy or spicy foods.