T&A and my 3yo

Hope both of your children are doing well. I was an Ent nurse for many years. Age and recovery time just don't always seem to match up. My guess is the cold preop could have affected the recovery time. Any child with pneumonia within the last 6 weeks we would always recommend that they come back later. Also every child's airway is a little different. Even though the parents are the same, the airways can be different. Did the older child also have sleep apnea? If I were you, I wouldn't worry about what might have gone wrong. Just count your blessing that you have healthy children. Give them lots of fluids, and pain control. Also beware that around 7-10 days those scabs are going to fall off and you will see an increase in pain. After that you are hopefully cured of strept, ear infections, sleep apnea....

Originally posted by kae rn

Did the older child also have sleep apnea?

yes, they both did. when her o2 sats dropped her RR didnt increase, she was breathing just as she did at home...

Originally posted by kae rn

Also beware that around 7-10 days those scabs are going to fall off and you will see an increase in pain.

Yesterday was POD 10 and she was still requiring the Lortab for pain and there was never really a slump time for the pain as it was for my 8yo. (Day 3-6) Isnt 10 days too long to be taking Lortab almost q 4-6 hours? If I gave Tylenol, 2 hours later she would just cry and cry and not take in any fluids... she seems better this morning though, but dont know if husband gave her med during the night yet. I will be calling dr Mon if she is still having alot of pain.

Thanks, kae.

My 11 yr. old goes in on Thurs. 2/12 to have her T&A. I am a little nervous too. She was supposed to go in November, but had a fever and "mild" cold which turned out to be pneumonia, so the surgery was cancelled. Thanks so much for the info. I don't remember much from when I had mine out. (It was 1972.) She is going to a surgi-centre and having it done outpt.

I work in PACU and recover lots of children after t&a. Recovery times very alot based on Dr and pain level and cooperation of child. Some children are awake when they arrive, require little pain med and take fluids willingly. Other are still asleep when they arrive and require time to wake up first and I alway keep for a min 20 after the last dose of pain med given ( which is titrated q 5-10 min) so if they require lots of pain med this takes a lot longer. Maybe the cold affected her sats never had this problem and I have recover lots of kids. By the way, were you allowed in the recovery room? I alway let parents come in one at a time and comfort their child.

Originally posted by kyti

I By the way, were you allowed in the recovery room? I alway let parents come in one at a time and comfort their child.

Not at children's hosp- I was told to wait in her room... when my 8yo had it done out pt surg, of course I was able to come in once she was more awake. Maybe at children's it was because I had two children and had to be upstairs in his room for when he got back and it was just easier for everyone if I waited there for her as well?

I certainly can see where Surgery Centers are becoming more popular. It seems more efficient in every way. I will always go that route, given the choice. Plus I think the teams are used to working with each other thus increases quality of care and efficiency. I just had many minor issues with the whole hosp experience. Now I know what its like being on the parent side. I would always rather be on the nurse side!