HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING UPPP

DIET:

- For the first 24 hours after surgery, it is more comfortable to drink only cold, non-irritating liquids because they are easier to swallow than solid food. These liquids include water, non-irritating fruit juices such as apple, apricot, grape, peach, or pear, popsicles, Kool-Aid, and carbonated beverages that have lost the fizz. 

- Custard, pudding, Jell-O, ice cream, and yogurt are also easy to swallow and are recommended for better nutrition.

- You may want to avoid citrus fruits and juices simply because they may be more painful to swallow.  Avoid hot and highly seasoned foods, or foods that may have sharp edges such as pizza crusts, chips, pretzels, popcorn etc.

- After 24 hours, soft foods like soft meat or chicken, cooked eggs, soft vegetables, mashed potatoes, peaches, pears, apricots, applesauce, cooked cereals, and strained soups will probably not hurt the throat. It is o.k. to try any of them.

- Gradually resume normal diet but avoid hot foods, spicy or highly seasoned foods, potato chips, nuts, dry toast, pop corn and crackers until 1 to 2 weeks after surgery

- Drinking plenty of fluids is important. Adults should drink six 8-ounce glasses of liquid each day. A child should drink at least 1-2 tablespoons of liquid every 30 minutes.

- Urine output is a sign of getting enough fluid. If urine appears dark yellow, drink more fluid. A child or adult urinating light yellow 4-5 times per day is probably getting enough fluid.

MEDICATIONS

- An antibiotic is usually prescribed following the surgery. The patient also receives a prescription for narcotic pain killers. These products cause somnolence, drowsiness and constipation. Patients who take painkillers should not operate machinery, drive or make important decisions.

- Do not use aspirin for 2 weeks; it increases the possibility of bleeding

ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

- Strength will come back quickly. A person who has had a tonsillectomy and/or an adenoidectomy should do as much as comfortable without getting over-tired. Get your doctor's OK before participating in sports or exercise.

- Children should be kept indoors and relatively quiet for the first 3 days.

- Frequent coughing and clearing the throat should be avoided

- No hot tubs for the first week.

- No sitting out in the sun for long periods of time for the first week. Getting overheated is not good.

- Avoid people who have colds, the flu, or any lung or respiratory infection.

MOUTH CARE

- Teeth should be brushed as often as before, preferably 2-3 times per day.

- The mouth should be rinsed after each meal with water or mouth rinse. Be sure to use a mouth rinse which contains NO alcohol.

- Do not gargle vigorously for three weeks.

- Objectionable mouth odor is commonly observed and is relieved by abundant fluid intake

- Do not smoke.

WHAT TO EXPECT FOLLOWING SURGERY

- A white or gray membrane on the sides of the throat is normal and should disappear in 1 to 2 weeks

- Earache is expected.  It is not an ear infection, it is referred from the throat.  If ear pain persists beyond 4-6 days after surgery, please notify our ENT service.

- Occasionally, a transient neck stiffness may occur in children following adenoidetomy.

WHAT ARE SOME REASONS TO CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AFTER SURGERY?

FEVER

- Most children experience a low grade temperature.  This is caused by dehydration. Encourage fluid intake and if needed, use Tylenol (NOT ASPIRIN).  If the temperature remains above 101 F (38.0 Celsius) and does not respond to Tylenol, or if the child refuses to drink, then IV fluids are required.  Please call our office or the closest emergency room.

BLEEDING

- The danger of serious bleeding generally over after you leave the hospital. In about 2-5% of patients there is some bleeding after 6 or 8 days. If this happens to you, do not become excited, remain quiet and present to the nearest emergency department emergently to be evaluated.

DEHYDRATION

- The most common problem postoperatively is dehydration.  Decreased urination or urine that is excessively concentrated (foul smelling or dark yellow) is a sign of dehydration.  Please encourage adequate hydration as outlined above.  If the event that the patient is unable to take in enough fluids or is unable to keep them down because of nausea, please present to the emergency room as intravenous hydration may be required.