Encouraging the Child... 

     Parents should discuss openly and frankly the child's feelings about the surgery and provide strong reassurance and support throughout the process. Encourage the child to think of this as something the doctor will do to make him healthier. Try to be with the child as much as possible before and after the surgery. Children should be aware they will have a sore throat after surgery, but it will only last a few days. They should also be reassured the operation does not remove any important parts of their body, and they will not look any different afterward. If there is a friend who has had this surgery, it may be helpful for the child to talk about it with that friend.

     For at least two week s before any surgery, especially tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, the patient should refrain from taking asprin or other medications containing asprin. (WARNING: Children should never be given asprin because of the risk of developing Reye's syndrome.) If the patient or patient's family has had any problems with anesthesia, the surgeon should be informed. If the patient is taking any other medications, thas sickle cell anemia, has a bleeding disorder, is pregnant, has specific views on the transfusion of blood, or used steroids in the past year, the surgeon should be informed.

     Generally, after midnight the day before the operation, nothing may be taken by mouth. This restriction also applies to chewing gum, mouth, washes, throat lozenges, toothpaste, and water. If the restriction is broken, the operation may be cancelled because anything in the stomach may be vomitted when anesthesia is indeed, and this is dangerous.

     A blood test, and possibily a urine test, will usually be required prior to sugery. When the patiend arrives at the hospital or ambularoty surgery center, he or she will go either to his room or a holding area while preparations are made for surgery. In the holding area, the anesthesiologist or nursing staff may meet with the patient and family to review the patient's history. The patient will then be taken to the operating room and given anesthetic. Intravenous fluids are usally given during and after surgery.

     After the operation, the patient will be taken to the recovery area. Recovery room staff observe the patient until he is safe to be discharged. Many patients are released after 2-10 hours. Others are kept overnight. Intensive care may be needed for select cases. No standard fixed period of observation is safe for all patients.

     Your ENT specialist will provide you with the details of pre-operative and post-operative care and answer any other questions you may have.