Pediatric Rhinoplasty Instructions

PRE-SURGICAL

Prior to surgery, purchase the following:

Expectations:

Avoid contact sports and restrict strenuous activity that increases their heart rate (above 100 beats/min) or blood pressure for 3 weeks after surgery.
May shower and wash hair salon-style, but keep nasal splint dry. For first shower post-op, keep door unlocked and have a trusted person nearby. Use warm water, as hot water can increase dizziness or lightheadedness.
No swimming for 2 weeks
The nose (especially the tip) may appear swollen and turned up, and the tip may feel numb. This is normal and will resolve with time, with normal sensation returning within 6 months.
Final assessment is made at 1 year after surgery.

Nasal care:

Keep the head of the bed elevated at an angle of 30° beginning immediately after surgery to help minimize postoperative swelling.
Cool compresses are applied to the cheeks for 20 min on and 40 min off during the first 2 days post-op.
Some bloody drainage is normal during the first day after surgery. Change the drip pad under the nose as necessary until the drainage stops, at which time the drip pad and tape can be discontinued.
Rinse each side of the nose with nasal saline spray every hour patient is awake.
After 3 days may switch to Neilmed Sinus rinse. Continue this for 2 weeks after surgery
DO NOT manipulate the nose (including rubbing, blotting, or blowing) for the first 3 weeks postoperatively. Sneezing should be done through the mouth during this time.
DO NOT let anything, including eyeglasses, rest on the nose for at least 4 weeks. If necessary, glasses should be taped to the forehead. Contacts can be worn as soon as the swelling has diminished enough to allow easy insertion.
It is imperative to keep the nasal splint dry, and the patient's hair should be washed as in a beauty salon, with the patient leaning the head backward over the sink.
During the first 2 weeks, nasal congestion may be minimized by the use of normal saline nasal spray and over-the-counter nasal sprays such as oxymetazoline.

Diet:

Patient should maintain a liquid diet on the day of surgery. This can be advanced to a soft regular diet the day after surgery.
Any foods that require excessive lip movements, such as eating apples or corn on the cob, should be avoided for 2 weeks after surgery.

Follow-up:

We ask the patient to return 5–7 days postoperatively, at which time the sutures and nasal splints are removed.
After the first postoperative visit (within the first week), the patients are seen 2 weeks, 3months and 6 months postoperatively and yearly thereafter.

If you have ANY questions, concerns or need additional guidance, please contact the office at any time at 865-824-4939. Staff is on call 24/7.