An adenoidectomy is a common ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery. Here at Connecticut Children's, we perform adenoidectomy on kids of all ages. This procedure helps children with breathing, sleep, and frequent infections. Knowing what adenoidectomy recovery looks like can help you and your child feel ready for surgery day.
What Is an Adenoidectomy?
An adenoidectomy is a surgery to remove enlarged adenoids. Adenoids are soft tissue located behind the nose. When they grow too large, they can cause:
- Mouth breathing
- Snoring or sleep trouble
- Stuffy nose
- Repeat ear infections
- Trouble breathing through the nose
Removing the adenoids helps improve your child's breathing and daily life. Some children also have their tonsils removed during the same surgery.
How Long Does Healing Take?
Most children heal in about 5 days. Some heal faster, while others may need up to 2 weeks. During this time, it is common for your child to have:
- A sore throat
- A stuffy nose
- Tiredness
- Bad breath
- Less appetite
- A low fever
If your child also had their tonsils removed, healing often takes a bit longer. Looking up a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy recovery day by day child guide can help you understand the timeline, but your Connecticut Children's care team will always give you a specific, personalized plan.
>>Read: "I can breathe through my nose again!" Adelina's adenoid removal story
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call your Connecticut Children's ENT team right away if you notice any of these signs:
- Bright red bleeding from the mouth or nose
- Vomiting more than 3 times in 24 hours
- Signs of dehydration, like very dry lips or few bathroom trips
- Vomiting that does not stop
- Trouble drinking fluids
A small amount of bloody spit or nose drainage can be normal. However, you should seek care immediately for heavy bleeding. In a true emergency, dial 911.
Diet Guidelines
There is no special diet after adenoidectomy. However, it is very important for your child to drink lots of fluids for the first week. Water helps the healing process, so please offer it to them often.
Is Bad Breath Normal?
Yes, bad breath after adenoidectomy is very common. A scab forms where the tissue was removed. As this area heals, it can cause bad breath for 1 to 2 weeks.
Your child can still brush their teeth during this time. Do not use mouthwash. It can sting their throat and does not usually help.
Is Constipation Normal After Surgery?
Yes, constipation is normal. Bowel movements can slow down after surgery because children often eat and drink less. You can help your child by:
- Offering water frequently
- Giving pear nectar, apricot nectar, or prune juice
- Limiting bananas, yogurt, and applesauce
- Offering strained, pureed baby foods like fruit
Will My Child's Voice Change?
Voice changes after adenoidectomy are normal, and your child's voice may sound different for 3 to 4 weeks. This will improve with time.
Some children may also snore or breathe through their mouth for a short time. Swelling causes these issues, and they usually get better as healing continues.
When Can Kids Return to School and Activities?
Children should stay home for 3 to 7 days after their surgery. This part of adenoid removal recovery gets easier once your child is drinking well and no longer needs prescription pain medicine.
Once they reach that milestone, they can safely get back to the things they enjoy.
How Is Pain Managed?
You should give pain medicine exactly as directed by your care team. Many children alternate between:
- Tylenol
- Ibuprofen (Motrin)
Some children also experience ear pain after surgery. This is common because the nerves in the throat connect directly to the ears.
Is a Fever Normal?
Yes, a low fever is normal for several days after surgery. It can even last up to a week.
Keep offering your child fluids and give pain medicine as directed. A higher fever can sometimes be a sign that they are not getting enough fluids.
Follow-Up After Surgery
At Connecticut Children's, our ENT team usually checks in about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. We often do this by phone or video. Most children do not need an in-person visit unless we ask you to come in.
If you have questions about recovery from adenoidectomy, please call your care team. We are here to help you understand what is normal for your child.