Skip to main content
ENT Conditions and Procedures
Intracapsular tonsillectomy (4 of 5) - What to expect after the operation

 

 

Should you wish to download and print the leaflet, please click the button below.

 

Download as PDF

Intracapsular tonsillectomy (4 of 5) - What to expect after the operation


This leaflet is part of the EASY-READ series, created to improve accessibility for all readers.

The original leaflet is available here.


Intracapsular tonsillectomy

PART 4 OF 5

What to expect after the operation

Click on each of the following questions to discover the answers.

 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE OPERATION?

 

After the operation, when the anaesthetic has worn off, your child will go to the recovery ward


 

Most surgery is done as a day-case

This means your child can go home a few hours after the operation


 

Some children may need to stay the night in hospital and go home the next day

 

WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER THE OPERATION?

 

SORE THROAT

Your child’s throat will be sore

 

 

This may get worse 3 to 5 days after the operation

It will slowly get better


 

Give your child painkillers 30 minutes before meals for the first few days


 

Do not give more than it says on the label


 

Do NOT give your child ASPIRIN

Aspirin is not safe for children under 16 at any time unless prescribed by a doctor


 

SORE EARS

Your child may have sore ears

This is normal

 

 

Having sore ears does not always mean your child has an ear infection


 

BAD BREATH

Bad breath is very common after tonsillectomy

Having bad breath does not always mean your child has an infection


 

Drinking lots of water and chewing gum can help


 

FEELING SICK

Some children feel sick after the operation, but not for long


 

Your child may need some medicine for this

 

 

SWOLLEN UVULA

The dangling bit at the back of your child’s throat can swell up after the operation


 

This can feel like there is something stuck at the back of the throat


 

It gets better within a few days

It does not usually need medicine


 

HIGH TEMPERATURE

Your child may have a high temperature in the first day or two after the operation


 

This is common. Half of patients may get this

A temperature that quickly goes back to normal should not need antibiotics

 
 

CAN MY CHILD EAT AND DRINK AS NORMAL?

 

YES. Your child MUST keep drinking lots of fluids after the operation

They must be able to eat and drink before they can go home


 

Give your child painkillers 30 MINUTES before eating to help with pain


 

Eating and drinking normally will help clean the back of the throat

Eating and drinking normally makes bleeding and infection less likely


 

If your child does not eat and drink, they may become dehydrated

 
 

HOW LONG WILL MY CHILD BE IN HOSPITAL?

 

Your hospital usually aims to do your child’s tonsillectomy as a day-case


 

This means your child will be able to go home on the day of the operation


 

Some children may need to stay in hospital for ONE NIGHT


 

This may depend on the age of your child and if they have any other health problems


 

Please discuss this with your child’s specialist

 

 

Your child can only go home when they are eating and drinking and feel better

 

HOW LONG WILL MY CHILD BE OFF SCHOOL?

 

Keep your child off school for 10 to 14 days


 

Make sure they rest at home away from crowds and smoky places


 

Your child should not do any hard exercise for two weeks to help the throat heal


 

When the throat is healing, your child can pick up an infection more easily

Keep them away from people with coughs or colds

 

CAN MY CHILD BRUSH THEIR TEETH?

 

YES

Your child should brush their teeth to help keep their mouth clean.

 

WILL MY CHILD NEED A FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT?

 

Not usually

Your child’s doctor will tell you before you go home if you need an appointment

 

 


CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS DOCUMENT

   

Disclaimer: This publication is designed for the information of patients. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the information contained may not be comprehensive and patients should not act upon it without seeking professional advice.


 

 

Your Notes

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 


 

ENT UK has recently gained PIF TICK accreditation to become a ‘trusted information creator’.


 

Kindly submit your feedback to help us improve our Patient Information Leaflets.

We greatly value your input and appreciate the time you take to provide it.

FEEDBACK SURVEY

 


Date Published: 16/01/2025 Review Date: 16/01/2028

Download as PDF