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Pressure Equalization Tubes (PE Tubes and Adenoidectomy)
- Children are generally irritable and disoriented as they awake from general anesthesia. This phase typically lasts for 30-60 minutes.
- Some children will have nausea and vomiting as they awake. This phase may last up to a few hours.
- Expect to see cotton balls in the ear canals of your child. Occasionally the ears will have some bleeding after the procedure. A small amount of bloody drainage is common with the seriously inflamed ears, but this bleeding is only in small amounts, and stops within 24 hours.
- It is necessary to take liquids frequently in order to prevent dehydration. Encourage and offer liquids every hour while awake. Dehydration will increase pain, increase the risk of bleeding or infection, and delay healing.
- Diet: Solid food may be taken as early as the first day after surgery. Avoid hard, scratchy foods (such as chips), chewy food, spicy foods/hot temperature foods, and citrus juices. At first, most people prefer cool over warm foods. Chewing may be painful, but should be encouraged since it helps prevent muscle spasms in the healing throat. A temporary slight change in the voice is normal.
- You may begin using ear drops approximately three weeks after surgery, or earlier if greenish drainage develops. Please use the antibiotic ear drops as given or prescribed (3-4 drops in the ear which surgery was performed, 3 times a day for 3 days.) Store the ear drops in a cool, dark place until it expires, as it may be used to treat future infections in the unlikely event they occur.
- Of note, only a few patients will experience complications from water exposure; therefore, St. Joseph’s Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic does not recommend any special water precautions (ear plugs), unless the patient experiences pain or drainage within 24 hours of such exposure. Please contact the clinic if this occurs.
- Mouth odor is common. It will decrease with time and adequate food and fluid intake.
- It is normal to have pain after an adenoidectomy. Pain medication given on a regular schedule helps to lessen this. As the pain lessens switch to Tylenol.
- Notify St. Joseph’s Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic of the following:
- Fever over 101°
- Persistent cough
- Persistent, active bleeding from the throat
- If there are any questions or concerns, please contact St. Joseph’s Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic at (208)777-1320.
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