Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy in Children

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is a tonsillectomy or an adenoidectomy? " пїЅ A tonsillectomy is surgery to remove the tonsils. These are areas of soft tissue in the back of the throat. An adenoidectomy is surgery to remove the adenoids. Adenoids are also areas of soft tissue in the throat. They are located higher up than the tonsils. пїЅ пїЅ

Doctors can do just a tonsillectomy, just an adenoidectomy, or both. The type of surgery depends on the symptoms and other factors. пїЅ пїЅ

Why might a child need a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy? " пїЅ There are a few reasons. These include: пїЅ пїЅ

Trouble breathing " пїЅ Swollen tonsils or adenoids can keep a child from breathing normally through the mouth or nose. If someone stops breathing for short periods during sleep, doctors call it "sleep apnea. " пїЅ It can be dangerous.
Trouble swallowing normally
Many throat or ear infections " пїЅ If other treatments do not help, a child might need surgery.
A growth on the tonsils

What do tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy involve? " пїЅ Before surgery, your childs doctor will give you instructions about what to do. Children should not eat or drink for a certain number of hours before surgery. пїЅ пїЅ

Most children can go home a few hours after surgery. The doctor will tell you if your child needs to stay overnight for any reason. пїЅ пїЅ

Just before the surgery starts, the doctor will give your child medicine to make him or her fall asleep. Then the doctor will take out the tonsils, adenoids, or both. пїЅ пїЅ

Your child might have an upset stomach and throw up for 1 or 2 days. He or she will also have a very sore throat for a few days. A child who has just an adenoidectomy usually has less pain and feels better faster after surgery. пїЅ пїЅ

Children need to stay home from school for a few days after surgery. The doctor will tell you when your child can go back to school. пїЅ пїЅ

Your child should avoid sports and very active play for at least 2 weeks. He or she should stay away from people with colds, coughs, and the flu for 2 weeks after surgery. пїЅ пїЅ

What can I do to help my child feel better? " пїЅ To help your child feel better after surgery, you can give him or her: пїЅ пїЅ

Plenty of liquids " пїЅ Such as water, grape juice, broth, or an "oral rehydration solution " пїЅ (sample brand name: Pedialyte) that you buy in a store or pharmacy. Your child might not feel like drinking, but it's important that he or she gets enough liquids.
Medicines " пїЅ Acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) can help with throat pain. The correct dose depends on your child's weight, so ask your child's doctor how much to give.Do not give aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin to children younger than 18 years. In children, aspirin can cause a serious problem called Reye syndrome. Aspirin also increases the risk of bleeding after surgery.
Foods that are easy to swallow " пїЅ Such as soft bread, Jell-O, mashed potatoes, pudding, and applesauce.

Do not give your child citrus juices, such as orange or grapefruit juice, and do not give your child foods that are hard, scratchy, spicy, or acidic. These juices and foods can irritate your child's throat. пїЅ пїЅ

When should I call my child's doctor or nurse? " пїЅ After surgery, call your child's doctor or nurse if your child: пїЅ пїЅ

Has bright red blood coming from the nose or throat " пїЅ A little blood in saliva or vomit is normal after surgery. If you see a lot of bright red blood, take your child to the hospital right away.
Cannot drink liquids
Has vomiting that does not get better
Gets a fever
Has a severe sore throat or ear pain that doesn't get better after a week or two or gets worse

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 86833 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy in Children

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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