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General health

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Original poster

Emergency Tonsillectomy/Adenoidectomy-any advice????

82 replies

Whooosh · 04/10/2007 22:37

Well sort of emergency in as much as saw the consultant yeaterday hwo said she had never seen such uge tonsils and adenoids.Described the risks and reluctance to operate but would wait to hear.

Anyway,got a call today saying doc had reviewed the case and decided that it was a relatively urgent case.

DD goes in on Tues and is only 2.4-any advice of what to expect????????

OP posts:

Califright · 04/10/2007 23:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pneumalifenewname · 05/10/2007 00:01

I have mahoosive tonsils but I kept them and as an adult have been hospitalised with quinsy and yet still they haven't whipped them out

Califright · 05/10/2007 00:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aznerak · 05/10/2007 06:42

Hi Whoosh

We have exactly the same with our dd. She is 2½yrs too and has exactly the same as yours.
Her tonsils cover over 75% of her airway when not infected, and the only times she has had tonsilitis, she ended up in hopsital.
So, hers have to come out too.
They wanted to do it next week, but my parents are abroad and my husband away with work and they expect to have to keep little ones in, so had to turn down that appt. So hers are now being done 14th Nov.
Scarey isn't it???

StarryStarryNight · 05/10/2007 08:26

Hi,
My 5 year old is now on the list to have his tonsils out, probably in October/November.

He has had surgery before, he had an emergency appendectomy nearly 2 years ago. But this was major surgery and he was very ill, in hospital for 9 days, which was a nightmare as I had to move into hospital with my then 9 month old baby, and my husband was in India.

I know what to expect post op, sort of, but I am still concerend with bleeding, infections, as this is a totally different thing.

Thanks Caulifrau for making me aware of this thread.

Dad12 · 05/10/2007 12:40

just logged on and seen a message from Aznerak about her her DD. Sounds very similar to my DS, he's 2.8, meant to be going in next week for tonsil/adenoids out but me and my wife are very concerned about the post-op situation. His tonsils are very big and we are told his adenoids too. He mouth breaths all the time, he gets sleep apnea, eg stops breathing for a few seconds then starts up again, if it is for more than about 6 seconds the jolt can make him wake..recently the episodes have got less. Sometimes children with this condition can also get glue-ear and then speech and behaviour issues, but our boy seems fine. He does not get tonsilitis, only the once but lots of early infections requiring antibiotics. It all gets worse when he gets an infection because he is already blocked up so when all the mucus is added he can struggle. Here in the uk ENT seem to often suggest this operation but in Netherlands for example they prefer to wait. I can see that taking out tonsils and adenoids would help..but it does seem very painful for the child with lots of post-op complications..so not an easy decision....

gingeme · 05/10/2007 12:56

Whhosh my ds 3.5 had his tonsils and part of his adenoids removed on Saturday as he had sleep apnea and his tonsils were stopping 70% of his airways. He amazed everyone by eating toast just 20 minutes after his op and in fact ate most of the day. He stayed over night at the hospital with dh and was allowed home Sunday morning. He was sent home with Calpol and childrens Nurofen and anti biotics and is recovering realy well. His sleep has greatly improved and so has his apetite.
Just a positive story for you while your considering the op for your DD.
Hope all goes well.

Dad12 · 05/10/2007 13:12

gingeme..brilliant to hear a good experience..hope it continues to go well

gingeme · 05/10/2007 13:19

Thankyou. My other ds who is now 12 used to have tonsilitis regularly and had to have penicilin at least three times a year. He was seen by a consultant who was cincidering taking them out but it seemed as soon as he turned 8 years old it all stopped. Thankfuly he hasn't had any re acurance of it since.

gingeme · 05/10/2007 13:28

Ill give you a run down of what they did with ds3. He had a pre op assessment the Wednesday befor the op and it was explained by the surgeon and anesthatist what exactly they would be doing and the risks etc. We took him into hospital for 7.30 am where they put 'magic cream' on both the backs of his hands to make them numb so he didnt feel the tube go in. Because he was the youngest on the ward his op was first. At 9am I went down to the pre op room where he got into a gown with lots of bright red ladybirds on and he had a heart monitor clip put on his finger. This was connected to a monitor which he was told by the surgeon if he wiggled his finger the line would wiggle too. While he was busy doing this the nurse was putting the tube into his other hand which he didnt even know was happening. I was then told to give him a kiss and off he went to sleep.
Dh and I had some breakfast then dh was called down to recovery room to see him and come back up to the ward with him. He layed on his bed for a while and the nurse took his temp and blood pressure. She then asked if he would like some cereal or toast. He had 2 slices of toast and a few sips of blackcurrant and was on the go for the rest of the day.
Hope this helps and gives you some idea of what to expect. And I must say Im glad he has had it done for his health benefits and our sleep benefits

nimnom · 05/10/2007 13:36

Hope goes well for your dd.
Changed miy sisters life when she had hers out at 4.
Unfortuately they left mine in and I eventually had them out at the ripe old age of 24! Not nice. Much better to have them out as a child.

Good LucK.

Dad12 · 05/10/2007 14:41

hi gingeme, thanks ever so for sharing what went on at the hospital..it really helps to know really instead of imagining..can I ask how he was when he came round ? was there any vomiting? also how is he now...I really hope he is fine, he sounds a strong chap..but I read that they can get pain later and there is the bleeding risk later as well..sorry if the questions are a bit intrusive!

gingeme · 05/10/2007 15:30

No thats fine dad12. Dh went down when he came round and said he was obviously drowsy but a bit talkative. He wasn't sick but his face was quite puffy because of the tubes and instrumenst they had to use. The op was only meant to be 45 mins long but was an hour and a half in the end because his adenoids were bleeding quite bad. They didnt remove these totaly but took some tissue from the bottom to clear his airways. The surgeon said if there is any bleeding it can occur up to eight hours after the op which is why they stay in over night.
I don't know how much you read to your Ds, he may be a bit young but we got a couple of going in to hospital books from the library for ds and read them often with him plus you will have a pre op visit which you will be taken to the ward and the nurse will explain to you and your ds what will happen on the day and show him the 'magic cream' and his bed or cot and his special bracelet hell be having that kind of thing.
When he returns home he will be sent home with Calpol and Childrens Nurofen. Not sure about the anti biotics aseach hospital is different but they gave it to ds as a precaution.
Hes doing very well. Only thing is Im supposed to keep him home for 2 weeks but were going a bit stir crazy now so I took him toour local playgroup this morning which he loved. Mind you he had an hour sleep after

aznerak · 05/10/2007 16:20

Gingeme
Thanks so much for sharing that. as dad12 says, it is very reassuring to know what actaully happens rather than what you think will happen.
We don't have a pre-op visit scheduled - they just sent a letter saying to arrive by 7.30am on xx day.
Did your little one stay over night? If so, was there somewhere for you to rest with your ds?
Thanks again for all the help/advice - I am a jibbering wreck even thinking about it.....!

gingeme · 05/10/2007 16:38

Dh stayed over night with ds because Im 6 months pg so didnt fancy the idea having to get up for a wee and stumbling around the ward in the am. Dh slept in the hospital bed next to ds but there were 4 other parents staying the night and they had big fold down beds to sleep on. Just one piece of advice take your own pillows.
Yeah 7.30 is the norm I think and they will put her magic cream on straight away and her bracelet. She will probably be the first for her op too as she is young. Not sure where you are but there should be a resteraunt in the grounds but take some snacks too for you and drinks as it is very hot on the wards and you will get thirsty. Be prepared for a long couple of days.

Dad12 · 05/10/2007 16:39

Thanks again Gingeme (I'm a teacher so in and out of class before I can go on-line!)excellent your DS is doing so well and ready to have a quick trip out. I know my boy will be climbing the walls as well..I've got half-term so will be able to be at home as well to entertain..are you still giving the pain-relief ? I was told you need to alternate the nurofen and paracetamol every 3 hours...We read all the time to DS (George the Giant every night at the moment!) I've got the usborne book about going to hospital and we are reading that. What worries me the most though is that at the moment he is all healthy and happy, bouncing around, bit snuffly at night, but then we take him to the hospital and he gets all messed up..I know in the long run its probably for the best..but just hate to do it...too soft I know..

gingeme · 05/10/2007 16:47

Dad12 no not soft just a concerned Dad but I have noticed the difference in ds's breathing and eating already. Yes we were told to give the pain relief for the full 2 weeks wether you think ds seems better or not. Ds has Calpol every 4 hours and Nurofen three times a day with the anti biotics so hes basicaly having pain relief every 2-3 hours.
They put a sapository(not spelt right) in their bottom for pain relief after the op which lasts about 8 hours. I think this is why dh was so up and about after his op. Take spare jim jams for ds as it can get a little messy as it melts iyswim?

aznerak · 05/10/2007 17:52

So much great info! She will be having the op at St George's Hospital in Tooting so no idea what it'll be like.
They have a Saturday morning 'safari club' so that you can take children to see hospital beforehand - not a pre op visit as they won't explain exactly what will happen in your particular case but at least she'll see where she is going etc

I am totally scared - like Dad12 she is so full of beans and happy - just tiny coz she eats so little and has disrupted nights where the apnea can sometimes wake her 5 or 5 times but she has got used to it and puts herself back to sleep. So I feel cruel putting her through it when there isn't a whole lot wrong with her apart from having enormous tonsils and adenoids. I guess I have to remember that if she does get another bout of tonsilitis, it'll result in a hospital event anyway.

Does she have to remain housebound afterwards? How long for? Can my son have friends round to play or does that up the risk of her catching something?

Thanks again xxx

gingeme · 05/10/2007 19:47

aznerak. My ds has just started nursery and we were advised not to let him go back for two weeks in case of infection but as I said earlier we popped to Tesco yesterday and an hour at my local playgroup today basicaly because both he and I needed to get out of the house. Plus it took his mind off it for a while.
My dh had his tonsils out when he was in his 20's and said he so wish hed had them out when he was younger as its twice as bad when your an adult so think how its going to benefit your dd in the long run.
Probably best if your ds's friends dont come round for atleast a week after your dd returns home just to be on the safe side.

Dad12 · 08/10/2007 09:46

Hi Aznerak and Gingeme..sorry to have missed your last messages on Friday but of home. Gingeme..great to hear your DS went back to nursery foe a short while..must be such a releief to be getting back to normal with signs already that his breathing is better. He sounds a real trooper..and thanks so much for sharing your experience. Hi to Aznerak, my DS is getting it done in the Cronwell but the consultant is from St.Georges ( a Mr S.)maybe same guy you're seeing. We could have had it done at St.G as well. We are like you, thinking next bout of cold will turn into more and we will be down at casuality in the night as before..I put a spoon by his nose last night to see if there was any air coming through his nose, none at all, completly mouth breathing..can't be good for them.

aznerak · 08/10/2007 10:59

Hi there
We are being seen by Mr H, so not the same guy.
Completely agree that mouth breathing isn't good for them but I am still scared!
When's your op set for?

Dad12 · 08/10/2007 11:21

Hi aznerak..me too! 'bout your Mr H..is he the doc that runs www.ent4kids.co.uk .....? if so he's meant to be really good. The site has some useful stuff on it..not as good as what you find out from people on mumsnet which is the real stuff..but ok. Our op is 22nd this month..dreading it..

aznerak · 08/10/2007 14:02

No, isn't same Mr H!
Good luck for 22nd - ours is 14th Nov, though should have been Wed this week!
please let me know how things go.

Dad12 · 08/10/2007 14:41

Will do !

gingeme · 13/10/2007 21:47

Hello anyone still here? Any ops been done yet? Have I missed them? Hows everyones dc doing? Hello hello

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