What to expect
Pain isn’t usually severe and usually managed with paracetamol and / or ibuprofen as needed.
Some bleeding from the nose is expected, particularly in the first few days.
The nose is usually fairly clear immediately after surgery but will be more blocked again by the next day due to swelling inside the nose and improve again over the next few weeks.
If adenoidectomy is performed, bad breath is common in the first week or two after surgery. In addition, low grade fever (<38.5 °C) is common and as long as your child is otherwise well can be managed with paracetamol / ibuprofen.
Postop care
Either nasal saline spray or saline wash (Flo sinus care) will be provided. If saline wash is provided but your child isn’t tolerating it, use a saline spray instead which is available over the counter at the chemist or through our rooms.
Your child will need a few days off school, mainly due to bleeding. Once the bleeding has improved, usually by the next week, they are usually OK to return to school but there is still a risk of bleeding and they should avoid sport for 10-14 days.
There are no dietary restrictions.
Intranasal steroid sprays such as Nasonex can be restarted after a week if there are allergy symptoms (sneezing, itching, runny nose).
If there is increasing pain after a few days, neck stiffness or high fevers, please call your surgeon.
Some bleeding is expected but if it is constant, seems excessive or you are concerned, please either call your surgeon, take your child to the emergency department, or call an ambulance.
Follow up arrangements will be specified on the discharge paperwork – if an appointment is needed and this isn’t made before you leave the hospital, please call my rooms to arrange this.