Ear Nose and Throat

Tonsillectomy  and/or Adenoidectomy

Day of Admission and Discharge Information for patients and their family

Indications

Length of hospital stay

Overnight

Country Patients

If your family lives in the country please ask your child's doctor how long your child will need to stay near Adelaide after their operation.

Preparation for Surgery

Your child’s anaesthetist will meet with you and your child before the operation to outline the type of anaesthesia to be used and welcome any questions you may have.  You will be asked to sign a consent for your child's anaesthetic.

A premedication may be ordered at this time.  This usually takes the form of a medicine to be swallowed that will provide pain relief, sedation or both.  If it is planned to start the anaesthesia by injection, local anaesthetic cream can be put on at this time to numb the area of skin where the intravenous needle / drip is to be put in.   

Length of procedure

Your child will be away from the ward for approximately 45 – 60 minutes.

After the procedure

Your child will need to sleep on their side without a pillow until they are fully awake.

Nausea and Vomiting                                 

Your child may experience some nausea & vomiting after they return to the ward, including vomiting old blood (dark brown) or fresh blood (bright red).  Please report all vomits to your child's nurse. 

Your child will return from theatre with an Intravenous cannula (I.V. / drip) in their hand.  Your child will have been given fluids and medication to prevent vomiting during the procedure. 

Further fluids to maintain hydration and / or medication to prevent vomiting may be required via. the I.V. after your child's return to the ward.

The nurse will remove this I.V usually the next morning before your child goes home.

Fluids and diet

Your child will be offered their first drink approximately 2 hours after returning to the ward.

There is no need for a special diet following this operation, but it is recommended your child not eat greasy foods as these may cause vomiting.  Your child will be offered a light diet in hospital when they are ready to eat.

Pain Relief

Paracetamol (panadol) will be given to your child every 4-6 hours after their surgery.  Your child will be woken during the night at 2am & 6am to be given panadol and a drink.  Panadol will be given regularly to help relieve their sore throat and enable your child to drink and eat.  If required, your child may be given extra medication for their pain.

 Your child can be discharged from hospital when he/she :  

 Discharge Care

Please give your child regular panadol approximately 1 hour before each meal for 3 – 4 days after their operation to help them eat a normal diet.  Older children may need panadol for a longer period of time.  If your child's pain relief is not adequate please contact your family doctor.

Medication containing Aspirin should not be taken unless medically approved.

Encourage your child to clean their teeth as normal.  It is normal for the tonsil bed to have a white 'slough' on it for a few days and your child may have bad breath. 

School age children may chew gum between meals as this will help increase saliva production and encourage swallowing.  Younger children may chew soft lollies eg. jelly beans.

 Contact your family or private doctor if your child has any of the following symptoms -

• Vomiting
• Raised Temperature
• Not eating or drinking normally
• Increased throat / ear pain (some ear pain is common but should be relieved by panadol)

Bleeding

There is a small risk of bleeding for approximately 2 weeks after the procedure.  Signs of bleeding include - coughing or spitting fresh blood (bright red), nose bleeds and / or swallowing more than usual.

If you have any concerns after your child's discharge please telephone :

• Women's & Children's Hospital (08) 8161 7000 (Emergency Department)
• Private Doctor

If your child vomits fresh blood or bleeds, take your child to the nearest hospital immediately or call an ambulance.

 Follow up appointments

An appointment to see the doctor will generally be made for your child prior to their discharge from hospital.

 Return to school and sport                      

Your child will need to stay home from School / Childcare for 1 - 2 weeks

Your child should not play sport or swim for 2 weeks

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