What Will Happen After an Adenoidectomy?
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are common surgeries used to treat sleep apnea in children. After surgery, your child may experience some discomfort, and parents may worry, sometimes wanting immediate answers from the doctor for any issues. In fact, parents can learn to observe their child’s post-surgery condition and manage common problems like diet and pain on their own. Here are some frequently asked questions and how to handle them:
- When can my child eat normally again?
After surgery, a white membrane forms over the areas where the tonsils were removed, similar to a scab on a wound. This membrane protects the wound. During this period, your child should only eat liquid or soft semi-liquid foods. Around 10-15 days after surgery, the membrane will fall off, and the area will turn pink, signaling that it's okay to resume normal eating.
- Why does my child have bad breath after surgery?
After surgery, both the tonsil bed and the adenoid removal site are covered with a white membrane. These dead tissues can’t be easily cleaned, and sometimes kids don’t rinse their mouths thoroughly, leading to a strong odor. After 10-15 days, the dead tissue will fall off, and the smell will gradually disappear. The dead tissue in the nasopharynx may take even longer to clear.
- Why is there still a risk of bleeding 5-7 days after surgery?
Around 10-14 days after surgery, the scab from the tonsil removal starts to fall off, which can cause some mild bleeding. Most children may have a bit of blood in their saliva or pass small clots, which is normal and can be managed by sucking on ice chips. However, in rare cases, small arteries might bleed when the scab falls off, causing persistent bleeding. If this happens, you should take your child to the hospital immediately for treatment.
- Why is my child still in pain after surgery, and how can I manage it?
Post-surgery pain is mainly caused by inflammation around the muscles and nerves after the tonsils are removed. Some children may only feel mild pain, which can be relieved with ice cream or painkillers, but others might still feel pain 10-14 days after surgery. In this case, giving your child pain medication can be effective.
- Why is my child still snoring after surgery?
After surgery, the throat tissue may swell, temporarily causing snoring to continue. Usually, within two weeks, the swelling will subside, and the snoring should improve. Many parents report that when their child sleeps too quietly after recovery, they feel a bit unnerved.
- Why is my child coughing more after surgery, and why is there mucus?
Adenoid enlargement can block the drainage of the sinuses, and many children also have sinusitis before surgery. After surgery, when the sinuses drain properly, the built-up mucus may flow from the nose to the throat, triggering a reflexive cough. With proper drainage and treatment, this usually resolves within two weeks.
- Why does my child have a mild fever after surgery?
It’s common for your child to have a low-grade fever (up to 101.5°F or 38.6°C) during the first five days after surgery. This can be managed with over-the-counter fever-reducing medications.
- Why has my child’s voice changed after surgery?
Your child’s voice may sound higher-pitched, muffled, or nasal. This is usually temporary and should return to normal within two to three weeks.
