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Please read the following information to learn about the surgery and how you can help. Fast Facts About Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
Contact the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ENT)For more information about tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy services, contact the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at 412-692-5460. What Is a T&A?
Home PreparationWhen general anesthesia is needed, there are important rules for eating and drinking that must be followed in the hours before the surgery. One business day before your child’s surgery, a surgery nurse will call your home between 1 and 9 p.m. (Surgery nurses do not make these phone calls on weekends or holidays.) Please have paper and a pen ready to write down instructions.
For children older than 12 months
For infants under 12 months
For all children
Remember: For the safety of your child, it is important to follow these specific times for eating and drinking. If your child does eat or drink afterthe scheduled times, it will delay the surgery or cause it to be rescheduled for another day.
A Parent’s/Guardian’s Role During the SurgeryThe most important role of a parent or guardian is to help your child stay calm and relaxed before the surgery. The best way to help your child stay calm is for you to stay calm.
Going to sleep
While asleep
The surgery
Waking upWhen the surgery is over, the medications will be stopped and your child will be moved to the recovery room.
Going homeMost children will go home on the same day as surgery, but very young children (under 3 years) and children with bad sleep apnea will stay in the hospital overnight.
Care at Home
Common Symptoms After T&AAfter the T&A surgery, you may notice some of the following signs. All of these symptoms are normal:
Warning Signs After T&AIf you see clots of blood or lots of bright red blood, or if your child is vomiting blood, call 911 or get your child to an Emergency Department immediately. Although most children recover quickly with no problems from the T&A surgery, you should call your child’s ENT doctor, pediatrician, or Children’s surgery nurse right away if your child has any of the following symptoms:
Special NeedsIf your child has any special needs or health issues you feel the doctor needs to know about, please call the Division of Otolaryngology at Children’s Hospital before the surgery and ask to speak with a nurse. It is important to notify us in advance about any special needs your child might have. What can I give my child after a tonsillectomy?Your child should eat soft foods for two weeks. Soft foods include yogurt, cooked cereal, cooked pasta, soft fruit, cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, soups, pudding, ice cream and smoothies. Avoid foods that are crunchy or have sharp edges (such as chips).
When caring for a child after a tonsillectomy the nurse would consider which as the most important nursing action?The most important concept after surgery is aggressive hydration. It is of utmost importance that over the first 10-14 days, the patient drink plenty of fluids—more than one would normally—to avoid dehydration. We believe that this lessens the risk of bleeding and potentially lessens the fever as well.
What is your immediate nursing care for a patient after tonsillectomy?Current immediate postoperative nursing care of T&A patients includes: pain management, oral intake of fluid and other comfort measures such as ice collar or humidified oxygen. Some nurses encourage patients to drink fluids while others wait for the patient to have the desire to drink. Pain management may also vary.
Can my child drink from a bottle after tonsillectomy?Your child may drink from a bottle. Give your child soft foods when he or she is ready. Examples are spaghetti, macaroni, mashed potatoes, pudding, pancakes, and scrambled eggs. You may also give milk and ice cream.
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