Caring for Your Child after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery without Stent Removal
What is it?
Endoscopic sinus surgery uses telescopes through the nose to open the drainage pathways of the sinuses that are obstructed. Enlarging these natural drainage pathways of the sinuses helps prevent sinus blockage that can lead to chronic infections.
What to Expect
After endoscopic sinus surgery, there is some material plaed in the sinus cavities that will dissolve inside your child's nose. This will help to assure proper healing. Your child will have a little blood-tinged drainage from the nose and may wear a small dressing under the nose. Doing too much activity to soon may increase the amount of drainage.
A stuffy nose may last for a few weeks as the sinuses heal. Pain varies from child to child but it is more often an ache in the nose and sinus areas rather than sharp pain.
What to Do after Surgery
Learning to care for your child is a vital part of your child's healing. These steps may guide you during your child's first days.
1. Your child may feel sick to their stomach from the anesthesia. Begin with clear liquids and advance to solid food as your child is able to handle it.
2. Your child may sleep with their head on 2 to 3 pillows for the next week or so if this makes them more comfortable.
3. Cold packs to the nose and sinus areas may help give extra comfort. Apply the pack every 3 or 4 hours for 20 to 30 minutes as needed. They work best if used during the first 48 hours after you go home.
4. Be sure your child takes all of the antibiotics prescribed to help prevent infection.
5. If told to do so, use the steroid nasal spray to help decrease inflammation.
6. Start/re-start nasal sline mist or spray whe3n advised to do so by your doctor.
7. Your child should drink a lot of water and other fluids.
8. A vaporizer or humidifier at your child's bedside may help increase drainage from the sinuses. An ultrasonic or cool-type are the best. Be sure to clean the machine often using the manufacturer's directions.
9. Pain medicine will be ordered to help lessen the pain. If you are giving your child plain Tylenol® be sure the dose you give is correct for your child's weight. Do not give your child aspirin, ibuprofen, naprosyn, or medicines, which contain these drugs (Pediaprofen®, Children's Motrin®, Advil®, or Aleve®) as they may increase chances of bleeding until Ok'd by your doctor.
10. A clinic visit will be scheduled for your child in about 4 weeks.
Cautions and Restrictions after Surgery
1. No nose blowing for 1-2 weeks as advised by your doctor. This could cause bleeding.
2. Do not hold back a sneeze. If your child sneezes, have them do so with their mouth open.
3. No competitive sports, running, hard biking, exercising, swimming, or aerobics for 1-2 weeks. Your doctor will discuss with you when your child may resume their normal activities and sports.
4. If your child gets a bloody nose doing any activity, please have him stop and rest.
5. Your child may return to school when they feel up to it, often within 2 to 3 days.
6. Your child should not bend over and pick up heavy objects off the floor for 1 week.
7. Do not give decongestants or antihistamines unless prescribed by your doctor.
8. Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and noxious fumes that may irritate the nose.
9. Avoid air travel for a few weeks to avoid pressure changes and the drying effects of airplane air.
When to Call the Doctor or Clinic Nurse
- Once in a while, the dissolvable packing material will come out of the nose before it completely dissolves. Call your doctor or the clinic and let the nurse know if you are concerned. No treatment is needed.
- Vision problems (loss of vision, double vision, eye pain).
- Neck stiffness (your child not able to touch his or her chin to the chest) along with fever, severe headache, and tiredness.
- Severe bleeding from the nose.
- Any fever of 101°F or more.
- Pain not relieved by medicines.
Phone Numbers
If you have any questions or concerns when at home please call:
Pediatric Otolaryngology (ENT) Clinic at (608) 265-7760 weekdays from
8:30 a.m. and 4:30 pm.
After hours and weekends, this number will give you the paging operator. Ask for he Otolaryngology (ENT) doctor on call. Give the operator your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If outside Madison, call toll free at 1-800-323-8942.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 05/20/2013
Copyright © 05/20/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6349
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