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Postoperative Adenoidectomy and Coblation of Inferior Turbinates

Postoperative Adenoidectomy and Coblation of Inferior Turbinates

RECOVERY

  • This is a day procedure
  • Return to school or kindy is usually possible 2-3 days postoperatively
  • Some kids have a degree of nose, throat or neck pain up to 1 week, meaning their return to normal activity may be delayed.
  • Some kids develop a postoperative
  • fever in the first few days. This is more common if there was a lot of thick, green mucus associated with the adenoids at the time of surgery.
  • If your child appears unwell with a fever, please call our office.
    • It is sometimes worth seeing the local doctor to ensure that there is not a chest infection.
    • If your child has a fever which is not settling within a day or two, if there is a moist cough, or if your GP feels there are signs of a chest infection, oral antibiotics such as Augmentin Duo 400 will usually settle things quickly.
    • If your child is particularly unwell, you should take them to the local emergency department for assessment.

PAIN RELIEF

  • Pain relief is usually not required.
  • If it is, doses of paracetamol (Panadol) can be laternated with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (eg Nurofen)

THE NOSE AFTER TURBINATE COBLATION

  • The nose will usually have some minor bleeding.
  • A small amount of ooze requiring dabbing with a tissue, or the use of a bolster (a gauze secured under the nostrils).
  • If bleeding is more severe (dripping from the nose, or swallowing blood), you should take your child to the emergency department.
  • The nose will sometimes be blocked (sometimes more than before surgery) for a period of up to 4 weeks.
  • This relates to crust forming over the turbinates as they heal.
  • The removal of crust is accelerated with the use of salt water spray such as FESSĀ® Original Nasal SpraySterimar or Neilmed nasamist, followed by nose blowing.
  • Spray can be used, and nose blowing commenced several times per day, commencing on the first postoperative day.

POSTOPERATIVE REVIEW

  • This is usually at 2 weeks.
  • It is sometimes too early to see the full result at that stage.
  • If there is still blockage realted to crust, a further review 4-6 weeks down the track is required
  • We need to formaulate a long term plan, consider any contributing allergy, and work out if there is an ongoing requirement such as nasal spray to get the best possible result.
  • Coblation improves the nose for most people, but might not give perfect results in the most severe cases of allergy.
  • If the nose is still blocked, or if there is a recurrence of obstruction (usually > 2 years) a further review is appropriate, as there is nearly always more that can be done to improve the situation.