Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) | Head & Neck Surgery, KTPH
Recovery
• Avoid heavy physical activities in the next 3 weeks, walking is permitted and encouraged
• Gradual resumption with light exercise from 3rd week onwards if cleared by your main surgeon
• Avoid sick contacts and minimise interactions in public places to minimise the risk of cold or flu. Precautions such as hand hygiene and mask-wearing can help minimise this
• Avoid hard nose blowing and coughing. If you must sneeze, do so through open mouth
• Symptoms such as phlegm production, temporary smell/taste changes, blood staining in saliva/nasal secretions is common post-operatively and are expected to take 2-3 weeks to resolve
• Try to keep your head elevated as much as possible. Sleep on several pillows or in a reclining chair
• You may shower one day after surgery
• If you use a sleep apnoea breathing machine (CPAP/BiPAP machine) by full face mask, you can restart use after the oozing slows down, generally around the second or third day after surgery
• Suspend smoking 1 month pre- and post-surgery for optimal healing
Diet
• Maintain adequate hydration and upkeep nutrition via adequate oral intake
• There are no specific food restrictions, unless instructed otherwise (e.g. for another operation)
Nasal Care
• Nasal congestion is expected due to swelling inside the nose and packing material. This will gradually clear up after the first post-operative nasal cleaning in the clinic
• You are expected to perform regular nasal rinsing 2-3 times a day with room temperature sterile/boiled water
• Top up nasal douche bottle with 1 sachet of Flo sinus/Nielmed with 200mls of water
• Add steroid medications if directed by your surgeon
• Flush half a bottle into each nose keeping an adequate seal, the liquid should expel from opposite nose
• Small amounts of blood, clots, debris is expected during douche in the first week
• This step will ensure a more comfortable experience in the first post-operative visit
• You may apply a cold compress or ice pack to your nose and cheeks as needed for pain, swelling, or bloody oozing
• You may use a bedside humidifier to help decrease nasal crusting and dryness while asleep
• You have surgical stitches inside your nose. Most are dissolvable and will disappear on their own over several weeks. Do not pull them out. We will remove any non-dissolvable sutures 1 week after surgery if required
• If you had a septoplasty, a surgery to straighten the wall inside your nose, you may have a splint, a temporary support, inside each nostril. This will be removed during your first post-operative visit
Pain Management
Adequate pain management is important for a smooth post-operative recovery
Pain control for nasal surgery involves as-needed basis pain relief medication as prescribed (May differ depending on consultant practice)
• Panadeine 2 tablets every 6hrs/as needed. Reduce dose if it makes you sleepy. This medication contains paracetamol and opioids, do NOT use with other paracetamol or opioid containing medications
• Lactulose 10mls 3 times a day to prevent constipation as needed
Emergency Advice
• Small amount of blood stains in the saliva/spit secretions are expected
• First aid measures for nasal bleeding/epistaxis: pinching the soft part of the nose & gargling ice water continuously for 15 mins
• In the event of profuse bleeding (e.g. persistent ooze/clots from nose or mouth) that do not stop with first aid measures. Please proceed to the nearest emergency department or available healthcare provider
To make an appointment with C62 ENT Clinic, call 6555 8828.
ENT.PE.11.1125
