Tan L, et al. - To report the time course of pain after tonsillectomy, this study was undertaken. Severe pain on swallowing in the first 3 days of surgery was experienced by 75% of children. A reduction in this pain was seen over time and while noteworthy pain on day one at home might be reported by 86% of children 2‐12 years, 67% children experienced significant overall pain on day 3 as stated by their parents. However, 41% of those children were administered only one or no analgesic on day 3. During the first week post-surgery, similar pain resolution profiles, with mirrored analgesic consumption, have been noted, but these patterns were not consistent. On day 2‐3, increases in pain was reported by some. Although multiple factors underlie inadequately treated pain after tonsillectomy, the inadequacy of the combination of acetaminophen and a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug alone appeared for 30% of children for the first few postoperative days.