After the procedure
Your child will stay in the operating room for 10-30 minutes after surgery,
while he/she wakes up from the anesthesia (sleep) medicine. After waking, your
child will be taken to the recovery room, for about 20 -60 minutes. At this
time, your child's physical condition will be closely monitored by a nurse.
You will be called from the waiting room and informed when you are able to
come visit your child in the recovery area. Remember, your child may be very
irritable or disoriented afterthe procedure due to the anesthesia. Do
not be alarmed.
Only two adults, parents or primary care givers, can be with the child in the
recovery area. For the safety and privacy of all our patients, caregivers must
stay at their own child's bedside at all times. Please respect the privacy of
other patients/families.
Ask your nurse any questions you may have regarding your child's care. . The
anesthesiologist or doctor may decide that your child needs to be watched
more closely for more than a few hours. Your child may stay overnight after the
procedure.
What you need to know
Your child's nurse will provide you with teaching materials relevant to your
child and his/her procedure, such as:
- An overview of the procedure.
- What are normal and potential adverse reactions to
anesthesia
- Instructions for feeding
- Special instructions for wound care
- Walking with crutches/cast care
- Follow-up care instructions
It is important that you follow the instructions your nurse will provide
about how to take care of your child at home.
If, after you've left the hospital or outpatient center
your child experiences a fever over 101.5º F (38.6º C), vomiting that does not
stop or bleeding that does not stop, immediately call the
office of the physician or surgeon who performed the procedure.
If the office is closed, call Children's Memorial Hospital at 773.880.4000.
Ask the operator to page your doctor's resident on call.
Day after the procedure
Follow the instructions provided to you by
your nurse for feeding and follow-up care. A nurse will call your home 24-48
hours after surgery to ask how your child is feeling and to answer any
questions.
If your surgeon or physician gave you instructions to follow up in
their office, call and schedule your post-surgical evaluation with their
office.