Post-Operative Pain Control in Children After a Tonsillectomy/Adenotonsillectomy:
 
• After surgery, younger children (age 9 years and younger) are most commonly treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol). Acetaminophen can be given every four hours as either an oral liquid or rectal suppository.  

• Children and teenagers should not be given aspirin 7 days prior to and after a tonsillectomy/adenotonsillectomy due to the increased risk of bleeding.
 
• While acetaminophen (Tylenol) with codeine is commonly used for pain control after a tonsillectomy/adenotonsillectomy in children, it may have side effects from the codeine due to differences in the way the medicine is processed by the body.  We will write you a prescription for this medication; however if your child shows these signs, stop giving the codeine and switch to Tylenol alone or Tylenol supplemented with Advil:
 
o Unusual sleepiness
o Disorientation or confusion
o Labored or noisy breathing
o Blueness on lips or around mouth
 
• If any of the above symptoms do occur, please call us immediately at 845-294-0661.
 
• If Tylenol or Tylenol with Codeine does not provide adequate pain relief then liquid Ibuprofen (advil) can be used to supplement.   Ibuprofen (5mg/kg) every 6 hours for post-procedural analgesia following tonsillectomy/adenotonsillectomy in children provides excellent pain control and has not been shown to increase the risk of postoperative bleeding in children without a history of bleeding disorders.
 
• You can read more on this by referencing the following articles and websites:
 
o http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM315528.pdf
o http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/725693
o http://www.entnet.org/content/tonsillectomy-pain-management
 
• If you have any questions, please contact us at 845-294-0661.