Recovery guide
Adenoidectomy Recovery Guide
Worried about a symptom? See when to call usQuick answer: Recovery from adenoid removal alone is usually quicker than after tonsillectomy: most of the soreness settles within a few days, and most children feel close to normal within about a week. Snoring and a stuffy nose can last up to 2 weeks until the swelling goes down. There is no special diet. Keep up fluids, and alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain. Avoid flying or out-of-town travel for 1 week, and call us for any bleeding from the nose or mouth.
Recovery at a glance
- First few daysA sore throat that gets better after a few days. Keep your child drinking through the day.
- Week 1Most children feel close to normal within about a week. No flying or out-of-town travel.
- Up to 2 weeksSnoring and a stuffy nose last until the swelling goes down.
What should I expect?
The adenoids sit high in the back of the nose, behind the soft palate. After they are removed, these are all normal:
- A sore throat that usually gets better after a few days.
- Ear pain. It comes from the throat, because the nerves to the throat and ear cross paths.
- Tongue soreness, numbness or a change in taste for a short time, from the instrument that holds the tongue during surgery.
- Snoring and a stuffy nose until the swelling goes down, up to 2 weeks.
- A fever up to 101°F in the first couple of days.
- Bad breath for about 2 weeks. Extra brushing of the teeth and tongue does not help, and it goes away on its own.
- Nausea or a smaller appetite for the first few days.
- A mild, temporary change in the voice.
Bleeding is not common after adenoidectomy. Call us right away for any bleeding from the nose or mouth.
What can my child eat and drink?
- There is no special diet: your child can eat as usual.
- Fluids matter most. Keep your child drinking through the day. An adult should aim for about 60 ounces (7 to 8 cups) of fluid a day unless told to limit fluids.
- Call us the same day if you see signs of not drinking enough (listed under When should I call?), or if your child refuses to drink because of pain.
How should I manage pain?
Pain can usually be controlled with over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Using both works better than either one alone. Alternate them rather than giving them at the same time, so a dose is due every few hours: for example, acetaminophen, then ibuprofen 3 hours later, then acetaminophen 3 hours after that. Keep to each medicine’s timing and daily limit below.
Ibuprofen is typically fine after an adenoidectomy, but in some cases your surgeon may ask you to avoid it to lower the chance of bleeding. We will tell you if this applies to your child.
Children (liquid medicine, dosed by weight)
Dose by your child’s weight, not age: about 10 to 15 mg of acetaminophen and 5 to 10 mg of ibuprofen per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per dose. Give acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours (no more than 5 doses in 24 hours) and ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours (no more than 4 doses in 24 hours). The table shows doses of children’s liquid medicine for common weights; measure with the syringe or cup that comes with the medicine.
| Child’s weight | Children’s acetaminophen (160 mg per 5 mL) | Children’s ibuprofen (100 mg per 5 mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 to 35 lb | 5 mL (160 mg) | 5 mL (100 mg) |
| 36 to 47 lb | 7.5 mL (240 mg) | 7.5 mL (150 mg) |
| 48 to 59 lb | 10 mL (320 mg) | 10 mL (200 mg) |
| 60 to 71 lb | 12.5 mL (400 mg) | 12.5 mL (250 mg) |
| 72 to 95 lb | 15 mL (480 mg) | 15 mL (300 mg) |
- Check the strength on the box. These amounts are only for the strengths shown. Infants’ ibuprofen drops are stronger, so do not use these amounts with them.
Medicine safety
- Do not give aspirin to children.
- Never give codeine or tramadol to anyone under 18 after tonsil or adenoid surgery. They can dangerously slow a child’s breathing, and the FDA warns against this use.
- Ask your pharmacist if your child takes other medicines or has other health conditions.
When can we get back to normal?
- Your child can return to normal activities as they feel ready.
- We recommend no out-of-town travel or flying for 1 week, in case of bleeding.
- After anesthesia: we recommend having an adult stay with your child the first night. Teens and adults who had the surgery should not drive, drink alcohol, use machinery or sign important papers for 24 hours.
When should I call?
Call us for
- Any bleeding from the nose or mouth: call us right away
- A temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher that lasts more than 24 hours or starts 3 or more days after surgery, or any temperature of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher. Use a thermometer, and check it just before the next dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, because both lower fever.
- Signs of not drinking enough: peeing less than every 8 hours (fewer wet diapers in little ones), dark yellow pee, a dry, sticky mouth, crying without tears, dizziness when standing, or being unusually sleepy or hard to wake. Call us the same day if you notice these, or if you or your child are refusing to drink because of pain.
- Severe neck pain, or neck pain that pain medicine has not helped within 48 hours
Call 911 or go to the ER for
Heavy bleeding, spitting or vomiting blood, or trouble breathing.
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Questions patients ask
Recovery from adenoid removal alone is usually quicker than after tonsillectomy. Most of the soreness settles within a few days, and most children feel close to normal within about a week. Snoring and a stuffy nose can last up to 2 weeks while the swelling goes down, and bad breath can last about 2 weeks.
Yes. The nerves to the throat and ear cross paths, so throat soreness is often felt in the ear. Pain medicine helps, and it fades as the throat heals.
Swelling in the back of the nose can keep snoring and congestion going for up to 2 weeks. It should improve as the swelling goes down.
Bleeding is not common after adenoidectomy, so call us right away for any bleeding from the nose or mouth. For heavy bleeding, or if your child is spitting or vomiting blood, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
We recommend no flying or out-of-town travel for 1 week after surgery, in case of bleeding.
This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace an in-person evaluation. If your surgeon gave you different instructions, follow theirs.
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Sources
- Mitchell RB, Archer SM, Ishman SL, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Tonsillectomy in Children (Update). Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2019;160(1_suppl):S1-S42. doi:10.1177/0194599818801757
- Hadland SE, Agarwal R, Raman SR, et al. Opioid Prescribing for Acute Pain Management in Children and Adolescents in Outpatient Settings: Clinical Practice Guideline. Pediatrics. 2024. doi:10.1542/peds.2024-068752