What is tonsillectomy and curettage, how to care for children after tonsillectomy and curettage?

According to records from the Department of Otolaryngology – National Children’s Hospital, children from 3 to 5 years old are often susceptible to tonsillitis, most of which are overgrown tonsils. The most optimal method to definitively treat this disease in the nasopharyngeal area is tonsillectomy and VA curettage.

What is tonsillectomy and VA curettage?

The tonsils and VA are lymphatic organs located in the nasopharynx. Both play an important role in helping the body fight bacteria that enter the respiratory system. When the amount of bacteria “massively” attacks the nose and throat, complications of tonsillitis and VA will easily occur. At this time, the immune system in the nasopharynx can turn into bacteria that cause respiratory diseases such as chronic pharyngitis, sinusitis, …

Tonsillitis and curettage

Tonsillectomy and VA curettage are the safest methods to help prevent respiratory problems from returning. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia or sedation, and then lasts from 30 to 60 minutes. The doctor will administer anesthesia with a mask, intubate and conduct surgery. The tonsils and VA are removed through the mouth so no external wound is left.

After the surgery, the child will be monitored in the postoperative room. When the child shows signs of waking up or getting better, parents can carry out procedures to take the child to a regular ward or discharge home.

How to take care of children after tonsillectomy and curettage

When the anesthetic wears off, the child will have some symptoms such as fussiness, fussiness, upset stomach,… Or some children may vomit thick brown fluid. However, these reactions are quite normal and will resolve quickly once the anesthetic wears off. To take better care of your child after tonsillectomy and VA curettage, you need to pay attention to the following:

Adjust your diet and lifestyle

In the early days after tonsillectomy and VA curettage, it is often difficult for children to eat and drink comfortably as usual. During the first 2 weeks after tonsillectomy and VA curettage, you should avoid giving your child hard foods such as bread, pizza, chips, … or dairy products. These are foods that can increase pain in the ENT area. Therefore, you need to prepare liquid and easy-to-swallow foods such as porridge, soup, … to reduce pressure on the throat area when chewing.

Eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods

After surgery, you can give your child a bath and complete rest for a few days. In addition, you should limit your child’s vigorous activity in the first 2 weeks because it can cause slight bleeding through the nose.

Add enough water

The lack of water is very dangerous and increases the pain of the child. Children who have their tonsils removed often have pain in the throat or when swallowing. Therefore, parents should encourage their children to take small sips of water to get used to it. Let your child drink enough water to recover quickly.

Add enough water

Use appropriate pain relief measures

Both tonsillectomy and VA curettage can cause mouth pain or discomfort in the ear area. However, these symptoms usually go away after 2 weeks. When the child cannot tolerate prolonged pain, you can consult a doctor to use paracetamol preparations as prescribed. Alternatively, you can use a warm compress or help your child do some gentle neck rotation exercises.

Use pain relievers

Thorough dental hygiene

After surgery, the throat area produces a lot of phlegm and causes an unpleasant odor. You should keep your child’s oral hygiene by using physiological saline, chewing gum, sucking on candy, … to reduce bad breath. Note, sour drinks can cause pain in children and make their breath worse.

Thorough dental hygiene

Monitor your child’s expressions

Some children have symptoms of snoring after surgery and also quickly disappear within the first week. In addition, children may experience voice changes due to temporary changes in the size and shape of the oral cavity. Usually, these are normal symptoms of people who have tonsillectomy and VA curettage. However, parents also need to closely monitor the children’s expressions to promptly respond to unusual situations.

Monitor children’s behavior

Contact a doctor in case of need

Some of the symptoms below that parents should pay attention to bring their children to see a doctor, such as:

• High fever over 39 degrees despite taking paracetamol as prescribed;
• Profuse vomiting and upset stomach;
• Severe pain lasting 48 – 72 hours;
• Can’t eat or drink water;
• Heavy bleeding in the area of tonsillectomy and curettage;
• Lost voice for 24 hours.

Contact your doctor when necessary

Hopefully the information about tonsillectomy and VA curettage that Tnhelearning.edu.vn shares can help you take better care of your children after tonsillectomy. Thanks for watching!

Source: Vinmec International General Hospital

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