Keywords

adenoidectomy, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, opioid complication, pain management, posttonsillectomy pain, tonsillectomy, wound healing

 

Authors

  1. Sutters, Kimberly A. PhD, RN
  2. Isaacson, Glenn MD, FAAP

Abstract

Tonsillectomy, used to treat a variety of pediatric disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, peritonsillar cellulitis or abscesses, and very frequent throat infection, is known to produce nausea, vomiting, and prolonged, moderate-to-severe pain. The authors review the causes of posttonsillectomy pain, current findings on the efficacy of various pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions in pain management, recommendations for patient and family teaching regarding pain management, and best practices for improving medication adherence.