Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Adenoidectomy, Pediatric, Care After
The following information offers guidance on how to care for your child after the procedure. Your child’s health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If your child has problems or if you have questions, contact your child’s health care provider.
What can I expect after the procedure?
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Scabs. There will be scabs in place of the adenoids. These will fall off as your child heals.
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Throat, jaw, or ear pain.
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A stiff neck.
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Congestion or a stuffy nose.
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Some swelling. Your child may have the following until the swelling goes down:
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A change in his or her voice.
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Snoring.
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Mouth breathing. Your child may breathe through his or her mouth.
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Trouble swallowing.
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Bad breath. Bad breath should improve as the scabs go away.
Follow these instructions at home:
Eating and drinking
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Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions. Your child’s health care provider may recommend liquids and then a soft diet as your child heals.
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Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
Medicines
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Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
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If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give it as told by your child’s health care provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.
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Do not give your child aspirin because of the association with Reye’s syndrome.
Activity
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If your child was given a sedative during the procedure, he or she can be affected for several hours. Do not let an older child drive or operate machinery until the health care provider says that it is safe.
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Have your child return to his or her normal activities as told by your child’s health care provider. Ask your child’s health care provider what activities are safe for your child.
General instructions
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Place a warm, wet cloth (compress) on your child’s neck, shoulders, or jaw to ease pain and stiffness.
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Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
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Your child has a fever.
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Your child’s neck and shoulders are still stiff after a few days.
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Your child’s pain is not controlled with medicine.
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Your child’s voice or speech does not return to normal within 4 weeks.
Get help right away if:
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Your child bleeds from the mouth or nose.
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Your child is dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include not urinating or not having tears while crying.
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Your child cannot eat or drink without vomiting.
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Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
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Your child who is 3 months to 3 years old has a temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher.
Summary
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After the procedure, it is common for children to have scabs in place of the adenoids. These will fall off as your child heals.
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Your child’s health care provider may recommend liquids and then a soft diet as your child heals.
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Keep all follow-up visits.
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Get help right away if your child bleeds from the mouth or nose.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
