Post Operative Care for Children
Post-Operative Care for Children — Tonsillectomy / Adenoidectomy
This information is provided to guide parents and carers through the recovery period following their child’s tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Please read it carefully before the operation day and keep it accessible at home.
What to Expect
Pain Relief
Your child will be prescribed oxycodone syrup and regular paracetamol. Both can be given every six hours. Start giving both medications around the clock from the evening of surgery and continue regularly for the first five days, then reduce as tolerated.
- Give pain relief 30 minutes before meals and drinks so that swallowing is as comfortable as possible
- If your child refuses the oxycodone syrup, it may be mixed into a small amount of fruit juice
- Do not give ibuprofen, Nurofen, aspirin, or any other NSAID — these increase bleeding risk from the healing wound
- Do not exceed the recommended paracetamol dose — check the bottle carefully for weight-based dosing
Hydration — the Most Important Task
Keeping your child well hydrated is the most important thing you can do during recovery. Dehydration makes the throat wound more painful, which makes drinking even harder — a cycle that frequently leads to hospital readmission. Encourage frequent small sips throughout the day, even if your child is reluctant.
Signs of dehydration requiring urgent medical attention:
- Dry lips and mouth
- No wet nappies or very little urine output for six or more hours
- Increasing lethargy and unwillingness to drink anything
- Looking unwell or unusually pale
If your child cannot drink at all for more than 12 hours, contact Dr Roth’s rooms or attend hospital.
Activity and Return to School
- Rest at home for the first week following tonsillectomy. Limit screen time if your child is visibly fatigued.
- Return to school: Most children return to school at 10–14 days following tonsillectomy, and at approximately five to seven days following adenoidectomy alone.
- Avoid all vigorous exercise for three weeks after tonsillectomy — including sport, swimming, gymnastics, running, and rough play. Physical activity increases blood pressure and haemorrhage risk.
- Gentle walking and quiet activities at home in the second week are appropriate.
Bleeding — Recognising and Responding
Secondary haemorrhage is the most serious risk after tonsillectomy and can occur at any time up to 14 days post-operatively — most commonly between days five and twelve. It may appear suddenly even when your child has otherwise been recovering well. Do not wait and see if bleeding settles at home. Blood-streaked saliva in small amounts is normal; frank bleeding from the mouth requires immediate emergency attendance. Some children swallow blood and then vomit dark material — this also requires urgent assessment.
Follow-Up
A post-operative appointment is scheduled for approximately three to four weeks after surgery. Please contact Dr Roth’s rooms at any time if you are concerned.
Dr Roth’s rooms: (02) 9982 3439 — Monday to Thursday during business hours
Outside business hours: attend your nearest emergency department or GP.
Please note: Castlecrag Private and North Shore Private Hospitals have no emergency department and no on-site medical staff overnight — if your surgery was performed there and you require urgent after-hours assistance, please go directly to a public emergency department.
Specialist Otolaryngologist & Head and Neck Surgeon
Specialist registration — Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery
View full profile
