Scribd
Upload
53 views2 pages

Tonsillectomy Pre-Op Inst

This document provides pre- and post-operation instructions for patients undergoing a tonsillectomy. It advises patients to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen before surgery and to use only acetaminophen afterwards for pain. It instructs patients to drink fluids and eat soft foods after surgery, use a vaporizer, rest, and avoid strenuous activity for two weeks. It describes what is considered normal after surgery like throat pain, ear pain, fever and foul breath, as well as what symptoms would require calling a doctor like high fever or prolonged bleeding.

Uploaded by

Dennis Bruce Lerion
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
53 views2 pages

Tonsillectomy Pre-Op Inst

This document provides pre- and post-operation instructions for patients undergoing a tonsillectomy. It advises patients to avoid aspirin and ibuprofen before surgery and to use only acetaminophen afterwards for pain. It instructs patients to drink fluids and eat soft foods after surgery, use a vaporizer, rest, and avoid strenuous activity for two weeks. It describes what is considered normal after surgery like throat pain, ear pain, fever and foul breath, as well as what symptoms would require calling a doctor like high fever or prolonged bleeding.

Uploaded by

Dennis Bruce Lerion
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

TONSILLECTOMY

PRE-OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
and
PATIENT INFORMATION
BEFORE SURGERY:
1. Do not take any aspirin, Ibuprofen or prescription drugs like Motrin for at least 2 weeks
before surgery. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is okay to take.
2. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.
AFTER SURGERY:
1. Do not take aspirin/ibuprofen after surgery for at least 2 weeks. Use Childrens Tylenol
Elixir (red liquid) for pain, using the dosage guidelines on the bottle. Generic
acetaminophen elixirs may be used if they dont have alcohol in them (it burns!).
2. Force fluids to maintain hydration and keep the throat wet. Mild non-acidic juices (i.e.
apple and apricot), soft drinks and popsicles are suggested. Soft foods like jello, ice
cream, custards and mashed foods are more easily swallowed and should be eaten as soon
as tolerated. Hot, spicy, rough and scratchy foods obviously are to be avoided. Gum
chewing is encouraged, as it keeps the throat wet and encourages swallowing.
3. A cold mist vaporizer used at night in the bedroom will reduce pain by preventing dry air
from contacting the tonsillar area. This is particularly true during the winter months
when dry forced air or panel electric heat is in use.
4. Stay at rest (couch, bed) for three days after surgery. Keep visitors to a minimum. No
strenuous physical activity for two weeks after surgery. Do not blow your nose for ten
days after surgery (sniff, dont blow).
5. If we have you on antibiotics, they are to be continued for seven days after surgery unless
otherwise instructed.
6. Adults, if we have given you a pain prescription, remember all these medications cause
nausea. Take them only if you need them as nothing hurts more than vomiting after a
tonsillectomy.
7. Someone needs to be with you when you go home, at least for the rest of the day of
surgery.
8. For 24 hours after surgery, do not drive, make any critical decisions, sign any legal
documents or care for any dependent persons. Because of anesthesia and medications,
you could be a bit groggy and uncoordinated.

WHAT IS NORMAL:
1. Throat pain is normal and will be worst during the first three days and persist for a week
to 10 days. Children will occasionally awaken at night as their throats dry. A vaporizer
will help as will Tylenol given at bedtime.
2. Ear pain is referred from the throat and will often seem more severe and last longer.
3. Fever up to 101.6 degrees often occurs for the first 24 to 48 hours after tonsillectomy.
Adequate fluid intake will usually take care of this.
4. Foul breath is normal and will get better as time passes
5. Yellow-white patches will be present for several days where the tonsils were.
6. After the first week, the patches will come off and a little bleeding may occur.
WHAT IS ABNORMAL: (CALL SHOULD ANY OF THESE OCCUR)
1. Fever over 101.6 degrees.
2. Pain getting worse instead of better after the first three or four days.
3. Bright red bleeding which lasts more than a couple of minutes.

You might also like