Gavin A J Morrison: Post Operative Guidance: Tonsils

These notes are for general guidance only.
Please read the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

Eating & Drinking

It is MOST important that your child eats and drinks as normally as possible for the whole of the two weeks convalescence. The process or chewing and swallowing makes the throat heal well, without infection. This reduces the risk of bleeding.

There are no special restrictions on what to eat or drink. Soft foods like yoghurt, ice cream etc. are better than nothing and provide moisture as well, but chewing crisps, toast or even sweets or chewing gum is helpful too.

Give regular pain killers half an hour or so before meal times so that the throat feels better when eating. The beginning of a meal is difficult, but after a few swallows the discomfort gets easier, so persevere.

Pain

It is normal to experience pain in the throat and also in the ears following tonsillectomy. Regular pain killers, using multiple drugs are advised to keep the throat comfortable. See below – medications.

The pain or discomfort is sometimes worse after a few days the improves. Many children seem much better after the first week. Others experience an increase in pain again just before the last bit heals at 9-11 days.

Contact with Others

Your child should avoid mixing with large groups of other children/adults. This is to reduce the risk of contracting a viral respiratory tract infection. It is all right to go out of the house after a day or so if your child seem well enough to do so.

Medications

Antibiotics

If a course of antibiotics has been prescribed, please take these as indicated on the bottle.

Pain Killers

Simple analgesics such as Paracetamol, or Neurofen (Ibuprofen) may be sufficient. Unless you are allergic (or have asthma with aspirin/neurofen sensitivity), you can take both these pain killers at the same time to increase their effect. Take them as directed on the packet 3 –4 times per day if necessary. You can use your own supply of these, bought from the chemist.

You may have been given more powerful pain killers such as Codiene Phosphate syrup, Co-Codamol, or Tylex. Use these if necessary but do not take Tylex or co-codamol at the same time as Paracetamol.

Similarly, Voltarol (Diclofenac) may have been prescribed on discharge. This is like Ibuprofen (Nurofen), and so should not be taken at the same time as Voltarol.

Bleeding

There is a small risk of bleeding from the nose or throat after surgery. This is more likely to happen at about 10 days after discharge. It is more common if your child has not been eating and drinking well. If there is just a very little fresh bleed which stops almost immediately, this may be all right. You should look in the mouth and ask your child to rinse out his/her mouth. If in any doubt, please phone Mr Morrison’s secretary for advice or contact Mr Morrison.

Any persistent or large amount of blood (you would notice fresh bleeding from the nose or mouth, or the vomiting of blood), and you child might seem unwell and pale, require that you contact Mr Morrison urgently. See below – “Emergency”.

Sick Leave

Two weeks sick leave from school or work is required. Occasionally a little longer is advisable.

Exercise

Please avoid any strenuous exercise in the first 2-3 weeks after the operation. Brisk walking & everyday activities are fine but swimming, gym-work or sports are best avoided.

Appearance in Throat

If you look in the throat over the two week healing period, you will see two white/yellow or grey sloughy areas on each side where the tonsils used to be. This is the normal appearance. It only represents an infection if your child has very bad breath, is more unwell or has a fever. In this case, contact Mr Morrison or your GP, for more antibiotics.

Follow-Up

Your first out-patient clinic visit should usually be arranged at about one month from the operation. Please telephone to book it at your convenience.

Emergencies

Click here for emergency contact details.