Aftercare For Kids After Removal of Tonsils

It can be nerve-wracking as a parent when your child undergoes a surgery. Half of the time the thought of how you are going to take care of your child after the surgery can keep you up at night.

Cover image for aftercare of removal of tonsils

Pristyn Care Team

Updated on: 20th July 2023

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It can be nerve-wracking as a parent when your child undergoes a surgery. Half of the time the thought of how you are going to take care of your child after the surgery can keep you up at night.

If your Paediatric doctor has suggested a tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis in your kids, then the following guide can help you prepare better for the same.

Table of Contents

What To Expect At Home after Tonsillectomy?

Some of the things that as a parent you should be prepared of after your child have undergone a tonsillectomy are-

Soreness in the throat, especially during swallowing, that lasts for 7-10 days after the tonsillectomy.
Your child may also have pain in the ear, jaw, and neck. This usually starts 3-4 days of the surgery that lasts for another 7-10 days.
It is common for your child to complain of something stuck in the throat. For this, they might continuously cough in an attempt to clear it. Make sure your kid don’t try to clear the throat excessively.
Your child may complain of a continuous feeling of nausea and vomiting. This is because of the anesthesia used during the surgery. Don’t worry as the prescribed medicines can help to cope up with this.
For up to 7 days after the surgery, your kid may have a low-grade fever up to 102 degrees. This is nothing to get worked about as this is quite normal.
Restlessness, disturbed sleep or nightmares is something to be aware of. This can continue for a couple of weeks.
There can be a yellow-grey membrane from where the tonsils were removed in the initial days of the recovery. This eventually heals on its own within 3-4 weeks.
Your child may develop what is known as referred pain in the ear or neck following the surgery.
Snoring is another common side effect that may occur after a tonsillectomy. This gradually subsides as the swelling reduces.
For many days when the throat is healing, your child’s breath may be smelling bad. In such cases, make sure your child drinks lots of water.

How To Manage Pain Relief in Kids?

Generally, ENT doctors suggest acetaminophen with ibuprofen for pain relief in the throat and ear. The prescribed pain-killers mainly focus on getting relief from sore throat and ear pain. Make sure that you note down the dosages for your child to give them the exact dosage.

Paediatric ENT doctors prescribe medicines for pain relief following a tonsillectomy either-in a liquid form to swallow or as a suppository.

After the first 48-72 hours of the surgery, give these medicines to your child from time to time.
Maintain a time table such that pain medicine is taken about an hour before meals. Thus, when your child swallows food it helps to decrease the pain.
Use an ice pack. Make an ice pack by putting a few cubes of ice in a plastic bag and wrapping it with a towel. Apply the ice pack for 20 minutes to the throat.
Due to dryness also the throat may become sore. Although not recommended, use a humidifier or vaporizer to ease out the soreness in the throat.

In cases where the child doesn’t want to take medicines for its bitter taste, they can be given flavored medicines. To make it more appealing, add the medicine in a small spoonful of pudding, jelly, or ice cream.

Also Read: Precautions To Be Taken After Tonsil Surgery

What Diet Children Should Follow After Tonsillectomy?

As your child may not be able to eat properly, they may lose a considerable amount of weight. This is fine as long as they drink enough fluids.

Your child will be on a special diet that doesn’t cause any bruises or discomfort. This is also known as ‘tonsillectomy diet’.

Immediately after the removal of the tonsils, give your children clear liquids such as water, broth, apple juice, ice popsicles.
Continuously make your child drink something at any temperature that they prefer- cold or lukewarm.
Make sure that your child regularly sips something in small amounts rather than drinking a large amount of fluid at one time. Some foods that you can give your child are pudding, ice cream, milkshakes or soup.
Give your child soft foods such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, dals, khichdi daliya, cooked oats, etc.
Acidic or spicy food can harm your child’s throat. It is normal if your child doesn’t want to eat solid foods for a week after the surgery.
Foods that are rough and crunchy such as popcorn, pretzels, potato chips, nuts or cereals should be avoided completely for a week. These foods can cause scratching and lead to bleeding.

What Activities My Kid Should Follow After Tonsillectomy?

Oral care

Make sure your child rinses the mouth with water or gently brushes the teeth.
Do not let your child gargle or swish anything around the back of the throat.
Restrict your child from blowing the nose for at least one week after the surgery.
Try raising the child’s head and shoulders to reduce the swelling and make your child more comfortable.