Post Operative Information

A nasal cautery is performed to help with chronic nasal obstruction or recurrent anterior nose bleeds.

Nasal cautery is performed as a day procedure in hospital. Sometimes this can be performed in conjunction with an Adenoidectomy if required.

Post operatively the nose can be quite wet, blocked and congested. Some nasal discharge can occur and this can be blood stained. This is nothing to be concerned with unless there is a bad smell associated with the discharge and high temperatures which may indicate an infection. A GP or Mr Hays can prescribe antibiotics if this is necessary.

There is minimal pain with a nasal cautery and panadol can be used if needed. Avoid aspirin as this may cause bleeding.

The recovery period is approximately a week. Rest and gentle activities only are required for the first week. No school for 1 to 2 days. No sporting activities or swimming for two weeks. The wet blocked runny nose may be present for 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery like a bad cold. This is to be expected and will settle down as the healing progresses.

If you have any concerns please contact Mr Hays rooms on 95960606.

Rhinoplasty is surgery to reshape or repair the nose. This surgery can improve the appearance and or function of the nose. This procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic and requires one night in
hospital.

You may have nasal packing in overnight to prevent bleeding whilst in hospital. This will be removed prior to discharge. You may also have an external nasal splint/plaster. Please keep this plaster dry and in place
until your appointment with Mr. Hays approximately 7 to 10 days post surgery. Stitches placed inside the nose are absorbable and will dissolve by themselves.

The nose will have a discharge and may bleed slightly and feel numb. Your nose may also be quite blocked and you will be unable to breath properly through your nose until the swelling settles. This is completely normal.

You may experience nose pain and headache. For pain please use, Panadol, Panadeine, Panadeine Max as directed. Do not use medication containing Aspirin as this may cause bleeding. If you are given
antibiotics please complete the course as prescribed. Do not blow your nose for at least seven days. No sporting activity for two to three weeks. You will need one to two weeks off work/school.

If you experience a fever, excessive bleeding, increased pain or redness of the skin around the nose please contact Mr. Hays.

Surgery for removal of tonsils requires a 1-night stay in hospital. Following discharge from hospital, patients require a convalescence period of up to two weeks from the date of surgery.

During this period bed rest is recommended for 2 – 3 days and physical activities should be kept to a minimum for the remainder of the postoperative phase. (ie. 7-10 days) Sport, swimming and flying should all be restricted during the postoperative phase. Pain and inflammation at the site of the tonsillar removal is to be expected but can be minimised by following a few simple steps.

These are:

Eating and drinking – This keeps the operated area clean whilst it is healing and keeps the muscles moving. Failure to stimulate the muscles in the throat may cause postoperative infection and possible bleeding.
Dietary restrictions – Citrus fruits, citrus drinks, hot chips, potato chips, chips and fizzy drinks should be avoided. These tend to hurt or remove the membrane, which forms across the operated area of the throat (this can be seen in the throat at the excision site and is yellowish-white in colour).
Pain Relief – Usually best taken half an hour before food. Panadol, Panadeine or Panadeine Max are available without a script or Panadeine Forte (script needed) is recommended for adults. Panadol is recommended for children. Aspirin or Aspirin compounds are NOT recommended during the postoperative course.

Ear pain is common following tonsillectomy. This is referred pain from the opening of the Eustachian tube in the throat, which leads to the middle ear. Pain relief and eating and drinking as directed above apply.

It is also quite normal to expect that your sore throat may worsen around day five of the postoperative stage. This is due to the lifting of the membranous tissue that forms over the excision site. This area will become a little more inflamed for a couple of days. Gargling salt water or Difflam may be of help at this stage.

The turbinates are short extensions into the nasal passages and their purpose is to humidify and warm the air flowing through the nose. Turbinate coblation is performed when there is excessive nasal airflow restriction.

This is performed under a general anaesthetic as a day stay in hospital. Post operatively some nasal discharge can occur and this can be blood stained. This is nothing to be concerned with unless there is a bad smell associated with the discharge and high temperatures which may indicate an infection. A GP or Mr Hays can prescribe antibiotics if this is necessary.

There is minimal pain with turbinate coblation and panadol can be used if needed. Avoid aspirin as this may cause bleeding. The recovery period is approximately a week. Rest and gentle activities only are
required for the first week. No school for 1 to 4 days. No sporting activities or swimming for two weeks. A wet blocked runny nose may be present for 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery like a bad cold. This is to be expected and will settle down as the healing progresses.

If you have any concerns please contact Mr Hays rooms on 95960606.

A Turbinectomy is performed to reduce enlarged turbinates that are causing nasal obstruction. Turbinates are located in the side walls of the nose that just into the nasal airways. Their job is to warm and moisten the the air inhaled through the nostrils. Enlarged turbinates may cause diminished airflow and stuffiness.

The procedure will require a general anaesthetic and one night stay in hospital. Post operative pain relief if required can be over the counter medications such as Panadol or Panadeine. Do not use medication containing Aspirin which can lead to bleeding. It is recommended to use a nasal saline washout such as FESS which will be given to you upon discharge.

It is recommended that you do not blow your nose for the first week post operatively, this is to prevent bleeding. You can wipe or dab your nose gently with a tissue if necessary. After five days or so gentle blowing is fine.

You will feel quite tired after the surgery and will require 1 to 2 weeks off from school/work. No sporting activities including swimming for 2 weeks after the surgery. No flying for two weeks post operatively either.

If you have any incidents of fever, heavy nose bleeds, increasing red and tender nose,
worsening pain in the nose, face or head, dizziness or fainting or any other concerns please
contact us on 9596 0606.

UPPP is a surgical procedure used to remove tissue in the throat that is blocking the patients airway. It is usually performed in patients with sleep apnea and with snoring issues. It involves the trimming of the soft palate and uvula and can also sometimes include the removal of the tonsils if they are present.

The procedure requires an overnight hospital stay with close monitoring by nursing staff to ensure good oxygen level in your body.

You will be given a post operative appointment with Mr Hays 2 to 4 weeks after your surgery. You will need to take 10 to 14 days off work which you will be required to rest quietly at home. There is to be no sporting activities including swimming for two weeks and no flying for a period of two weeks as well.

When you are discharged from hospital you will be given some pain relief and some people will be given antibiotics. Please take these as prescribed. Panadol, Panadeine, Panadeine Max or Panadeine Forte can
be used for pain relief. DO NOT use any medications containing Aspirin as these may cause bleeding.

If you have any signs of bleeding, high temperature, excessive pain that is not controlled by pain relief prescribed please contact Mr Hays Rooms on 9596 0606.

The nasal septum is the dividing partition within the middle of the nose separating the nostrils, directing airflow and supports the tip and a soft part of the nose. The septum may become deviated as it grows or it may be bent as a result of an injury. A Septoplasty is an operation to straighten the nasal septum to improve airflow through the nostrils.

The procedure will require a general anaesthetic and one night stay in hospital. Post operative pain relief if required can be over the counter medications such as Panadol or Panadeine. Do not use medication containing Aspirin which can lead to bleeding. It is recommended to use a nasal saline washout such as FESS which will be given to you upon discharge.

It is recommended that you do not blow your nose for the first week post operatively, this is to prevent bleeding. You can wipe or dab your nose gently with a tissue if necessary. After five days or so gentle blowing is fine.

You will feel quite tired after the surgery and will require 1 to 2 weeks off from school/work. No sporting activities including swimming for 2 weeks after the surgery. No flying for two weeks post operatively either.

If you have any incidents of fever, heavy nose bleeds, increasing red and tender nose, worsening pain in the nose, face or head, dizziness or fainting or any other concerns please contact us on 9596 0606.

MEVTS

Middle ear ventilation tubes are placed to allow ventilation of the middle ear. The procedure is performed under a light general anaesthetic using an operating microscope. There are various types of middle ear ventilation tubes that can be placed, depending on the length of time thought that the ventilation is needed through the outer ear. Some tubes can last as little as a few months, other can be almost permanent. The type required will be discussed with Mr Hays prior to surgery. The ventilation tubes are designed to gradually extrude from the tympanic membrane. The grommets generally come out of the ear canal naturally with every day activities unnoticed by the patient.

Recovery time is minimal. You can return to normal activities (school/work) as soon as you have recovered form the general anaesthetic. This is usually within 24-48 hours. There may be a small amount of discharge from the ears for day or two following surgery. This discharge may also be blood stained. Pain is minimal and can be controlled with Panadol if necessary. A post op follow up appointment will be made to see Mr Hays about 6 weeks post surgery. Following this, appointments will be scheduled approximately every 9 months until the grommet has extruded.

When grommets are inserted the ear is not affected by changes in air pressure and therefore
flying will not be an issue.

Ear plugs must be worn whilst swimming in ANY POOL. Depending on the level of swimming involved either custom made ear plugs or standard ear plugs/putty will be sufficient. Standard ear plugs/putty can be purchased from your local chemist/sports store.

Custom made plugs can be made from Victorian Hearing at any of their locations. Please phone 1300 736 995 if you wish to arrange for this. Bath, showering or swimming in the sea do not require plugs to be worn.

Sometimes there can be a discharge from the ears whilst the tubes are in. This often indicates continuing drainage of fluid that has been deep within the middle ear. This can happen after a cold or after swimming if water gets in the ear. This discharge is generally not a problem and can be gently wipes away. If this discharge becomes purulent or smelly this may indicate an infection. This will need to be treated by the local doctor of Mr Hays.

Microlaryngoscopy – Examination of the larynx, voice and upper airway sometimes involving the removal of a cyst, nodule or polyp.

Bronchoscopy – Examination of the air passages below the larynx.

Oesophagoscopy – Examination of the oesophagus.

These procedures are performed via the mouth with no external wounds. Depending on the extent of this procedure performed this may be done as a day case but usually it requires an overnight stay in hospital. It is always performed under general anaesthetic.

After the procedure your throat may feel sore and dry. Your voice may be husky but this should recover in a week or two. You may need to rest your voice for a few weeks and this may require you to have one to two weeks off work/school. If pain medication is required paracetamol or codeine can be used. Avoid anything that contains aspirin.

You will have a follow up appointment scheduled with Mr. Hays, which at this time he will check the healing progress and discuss any pathology results if applicable. If you experience any high temperatures, difficult with breathing, persistent pain, and nausea or vomiting please contact your local doctor or Mr. Hays.

The adenoids are situated above the soft palate and behind the nasal passageway. An adenoidectomy is performed when the adenoids are enlarged and causing nasal blockage. Sometimes it is performed in conjunction with a tonsillectomy when the tonsils are causing problems as well.

Adenoidectomy is performed as a day procedure in hospital. Post operatively some nasal discharge can occur and this can be blood stained. This is nothing to be concerned with unless there is a bad smell associated with the discharge and high temperatures which may indicate an infection. A GP or Mr Hays can prescribe antibiotics if this is necessary.

There is minimal pain with an adenoidectomy and panadol can be used if needed. Avoid aspirin as this may cause bleeding.

The recovery period is approximately a week. Rest and gentle activities only are required for the first week. No school for 1 to 4 days. No sporting activities or swimming for two weeks. A wet blocked runny nose may be present for 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery like a bad cold. This is to be expected and will settle down as the healing progresses.

If you have any concerns please contact Mr Hays rooms on 95960606.