General Instructions

• After surgery, a sore throat and earache on swallowing are to be expected. Encouraging fluids and soft foods will speed recovery from pain.
• Taking liquids is most important for the elimination of throat pain each day. A mild elevation of temperature usually means the patient is not taking enough liquids.
• Pain medication should be given every 4 hours for pain. Tylenol® elixir, Tylenol® chewable, or Tylenol® with Codeine elixir is recommended for pain. You will receive a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine elixir if appropriate for the child's age. DO NOT USE ASPIRIN, ASPERGUM®, ADVIL®, MOTRIN® OR SIMILAR MEDICATIONS UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO SO BY YOUR PHYSICIAN.
• Do not be alarmed by the presence of a white membrane in the throat; it will be present for 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. The membrane may cause an odor for several days.
• BLEEDING is unlikely, but may occur in very small amounts up to 14 days after surgery. If bleeding becomes heavy, DO NOT DELAY. Call our office at 913-764-2737 or report to the Emergency Department of the Olathe Medical Center at 913-791-4357.
• Call our office at 913-764-2737 if you have bleeding from the throat that does not clear with cold water, or temperature elevation of 101º F or greater in the first 48 hours or persistent vomiting. For temperature elevation after 48 hours or development of a cough, call your pediatrician or primary care physician.

ACTIVITIES

• The day of surgery, motor skills may be impaired.
• Children may return to school with limited activity in 5 to 7 days. They will need to be out of physical education classes for 2 weeks.
• Vigorous physical activity should be avoided for 14 days.

DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS

• Encourage liquids.
• AVOID sharp foods such as popcorn, chips and dry toast for 2 weeks.
• Soft foods can be added the day after surgery.
• Some patients do not eat solid food for 7 to 10 days. This is normal.

FOLLOW-UP

You are scheduled to see your doctor in one (1) week.

General Instructions

NO LIFTING! NO STRAINING! NO BENDING! SNEEZE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!

• Change pad under nose as needed. You will be given 12 oval eye pads that are to be cut in half. You do not have to wear these, only if needed.
• You have been given medications that made you drowsy and that will affect your reaction times. Therefore, do not drive, drink alcohol or make critical decisions for 24 hours.
• Plan a quiet day at home and have someone stay with you the remainder of today and tonight.
• Do not drive while on prescription pain medications.
• You may shower or bathe.
• Sleep with head elevated on two pillows.

Helpful Hints

You may clean inside and under your nose with hydrogen peroxide and Q-tips. If you have splints, keeping them clean with hydrogen peroxide will make them much easier to remove.

What to Expect

• Bloody drainage for the first 2 days is normal.
• Headache is common
• Sore throat is common

Call Your Doctor 913-764-2737 for:

• Temperature over 101º Fahrenheit in the first 48 hours.
• Persistent vomitting.
• Change in vision.
• Swelling around eyes.
• Severe headache not relieved by pain medications.
• Bleeding that soaks the nasal pad every 1/2 hour.
• Any questions concerning the surgery.
  
  

CALL YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR FOR FEVER AFTER 48 HOURS OR IF YOU DEVELOP A COUGH.

Medications

• If you have bleeding, use Afrin® (oxymetazoline), 2 puffs in each nostril 3 times per day for 7 days. Do not use unless needed.
• You will be given a prescription pain medication that may or may not be needed.
• You will be given an antibiotic that should be taken according to the directions.

Follow-Up

You are scheduled to see your doctor in 2-5 days. You will be sent home with an ear syringe. Instructions for irrigation will be given on your first post-op visit or by the Day Surgery nurses. You may begin irrigating 48 hours after surgery, unless instructed otherwise. If you have any questions, call your doctor's medical assistant at 913-764-2737 during office hours.

General Instructions

• Vigorous physical activity should be avoided for fourteen (14) days.
• You have been given medications that make you drowsy and that will affect your reaction time. Therefore, do not drive, drink alcohol or make critical decisions for 24 hours.
• Plan a quiet day at home and have someone stay with you the remainder of today and overnight.
• Do not drive while on prescription pain medications.
• Gargling helps clear the throat. Use 1/3 cup Cepacol® or any mouthwash, 1/3 cup water, and 1/3 cup hydrogen peroxide. Mix the above ingredients and gargle after meals and at bedtime.
• After surgery, a sore throat and earache on swallowing are to be expected. Encouraging fluids and soft foods will speed recovery from pain.
• Taking liquids is most important for the elimination of pain each day. A mild elevation of temperature usually means the patient is not taking enough fluids.
• Pain medication should be given every four (4) hours. Tylenol® elixir, Tylenol® chewable, or Tylenol® with Codeine elixir is recommended for pain. You will receive a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine elixir if appropriate for age. DO NOT USE ASPIRIN, ASPERGUM®, ADVIL®, MOTRIN® OR SIMILAR MEDICATIONS.
• Do not be alarmed by the presence of a white membrane in the throat; it will be present for 1-3 weeks after surgery. The membrane may cause an odor for several days.
• BLEEDING is unlikely, but may occur in very small amounts up to fourteen (14) days after surgery. If bleeding becomes heavy, DO NOT DELAY. Call our office (913-764-2737) or report to the Emergency Department of the Olathe Medical Center (913-791-4357).
• Call our office at 913-764-2737 if you have bleeding from the throat that does not clear with cold water, temperature elevation of 101º Fahrenheit or greater in the first 48 hours, or persistent vomiting. For temperature elevation after 48 hours or development of a persistent cough, call your primary care physician.

Dietary Instructions

• Encourage liquids.
• AVOID sharp foods such as popcorn, chips and dry toast for two (2) weeks.
• Soft foods can be added the day after surgery.
• Some patients do not eat solid food for 7 - 10 days. This is normal.

Special Instructions

• You are scheduled to see your doctor in one (1) week.
• You will need to rest and be off of work for 7 - 10 days.

HOW TO RINSE THE NOSE WITH SALT WATER
(Buffered Hyper-Tonic Saline Nasal Irrigation)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Plan to rinse the nose with the salt water mixture 2 to 3 times each day. Make the salt water and baking soda mixture according to the recipe. You will need a bulb/ear syringe, a large medical syringe (30 cc), or a Water-Pik.

• Pour some salt water mixture into a clean bowl. Many people like to warm the salt water in the microwave oven to about body temperature. Be sure that the salt water is NOT HOT.
• Fill the syringe with salt water from the bowl. DO NOT put your used syringe back into the bowl or jar, as this will contaminate your salt water.
• Stand over the sink or in the shower and squirt the salt water into each side of your nose. Aim the stream toward the back of your head, NOT the top of your head. This lets you spit some of the salt water out of your mouth. It will not hurt if you swallow a little.
• Most people notice a mild burning feeling the first few times they use the salt water mixture. This usually goes away in a few days.

If you use a nasal steroid: You should always use the salt water mixture first, then use the nasal steroid spray, i.e., Flonase®, Vancenase®, Beconase®, or Nasacort®. The steroid medicine will then reach deeper into the nose and sinuses.

RECIPE:

Carefully clean and rinse a 1 quart glass jar. Fill the clean jar with tap water or bottled water. You do not have to boil the water. Add 2 to 3 level teaspoons of pickling/canning salt. DO NOT use table salt. Table salt has unwanted additives. You can ask for pickling/canning salt at the grocery store.

• Add 1 rounded teaspoon of baking soda (pure bicarbonate).
• Stir or shake before each use. Store at room temperature. After a week, pour out any mixture that is left over and make a new recipe.
• If the mixture seems to strong, use less salt - try 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons of salt.
• For children, it is best to start with a weaker salt water mixture, then gradually increase to using 2 to 3 level teaspoons of salt, or whatever the child will accept.

BENEFITS:

• When you rinse your nose with this salt water and baking soda mixture, it washes crusts and other debris from your nose.
• Salt water pulls fluid out of the swollen membranes of your nose. This decongests the nose and improves airflow. Not only does this make breathing easier, it helps open the sinus passages.
• Studies show that this mixture of concentrated salt water and baking soda (bicarbonate) helps the nose work better and moves mucus out of the nose faster.

If you have questions, please call (913) 764-2737 and ask to speak to your physician's medical assistant.