Sinus Surgery Care

• Surgery Purpose
• What to Expect
• Post-op Follow-up

 

Surgery Purpose

The purpose of endoscopic sinus surgery is to open the normal drainage pathways from the sinus cavities into the nose in order to improve drainage.

What to Expect after Surgery

• Pain/Pressure:the child will feel pressure pain at the cheekbones and forehead for 2-3 weeks. Headaches are a common complaint after sinus surgery. The physician will prescribe a pain medication after surgery. Do not give aspirin.

• Nasal Drainage (occasionally bloody): the removal of the sinus tissue can leave raw areas that can cause some mucus drainage, bleeding and blood clots. This can occur for several weeks after surgery.

• Bleeding: if more than light bleeding or oozing occurs, use Afrin spray, lie down with head elevated and remain calm and quiet. If Afrin is used for light bleeding/oozing spray 2 puffs in each nostril, if bleeding is not initially controlled the Afrin can be repeated after 15 minutes, if bleeding continues please contact your physician for additional instruction. Light bleeding or dripping from the nose may occur when leaning over for the first 3-4 days after surgery.

• Nasal Congestion: surgery can cause some swelling to the mucous membranes in the nose. This can cause a feeling of fullness or congestion in the nose that can last for about 2-3 weeks after surgery.

• Nose Blowing: do not blow the nose for 1 week, but you can gently blow the nose (without occluding either nostril) after 2-3 days. Your child should sneeze with their mouth open if they have to sneeze.
• Post Nasal Drip/Cough:the healing process in the sinuses can cause an increase in mucus production. The patient may experience drainage down the back of the throat that can cause a cough for 3-4 weeks after surgery.
• Fever: low-grade fevers are common after surgery. Your child may run a fever for several days after surgery. If the fever remains over 102 and is not improving 30-45 minutes after ibuprofen (Motrin) or Lortab (pain medication) please call the office. It is important that children drink plenty of fluids after surgery. This will not only make them feel better, but will reduce the chance of fevers.

• Activity: quiet activities for 7 days. School can be started in 3 days if patient feels well. No sustained physical activity (sports, running, heavy lifting, swimming, P.E. class, bounce houses, etc) for 7 days after surgery.

• Diet: your child may eat and drink a normal diet.

Postoperative Care & Follow-up

• Gauze Pad: your child can wear a gauze pad under the nose to collect drainage as needed for the first couple of days.

• Head Elevation: try and keep the child’s head elevated more than 30 degrees for the first week after surgery when sleeping. This can help with post nasal drainage and night time cough.

• Medications: your physician will send your child home with a prescription for an antibiotic, pain medication, and anti-nausea medication. Your child should take all medications as prescribed.

• Pain Medications: pain medications should only be taken as needed. Your child can take over the counter ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). Your child should not take over the counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) while they are taking the pain medications as there is already acetaminophen in the pain medication.

• Nasal Steroids (Nasonex, Veramyst, Flonase, etc): resume the use of nasal steroid 3 days after surgery. Wait to give the nasal steroid more than 30 minutes after saline irrigation.

• Nasal Saline Irrigation: begin nasal saline irrigation 2 days after surgery as instructed by your doctor. Irrigations are done by using the NeilMed Sinus Rinse. Half a bottle of saline should be used one to two times per day or more often as needed. Saline should be prepared fresh each day.

• Antihistamines (Zyrtec, Claritin, Clarinex, Allegra, Xyzol, Benadryl, etc): stop taking antihistamines after surgery because of the adverse drying effects unless instructed otherwise by your child’s physician.

• Follow Up Appointment: your child should be seen by the physician about 2 weeks postoperatively. Call for an appointment or for any questions.

• How can I reach the doctor after hours? There is a doctor on call 24 hours. If you need to reach us, please call the office number: 972-745-8400 or 817-337-3339.