Day Surgery Leaflet: Surgery to the Nose

Surgery to the Nose: You will be going home on the day of your surgery after you are able to eat and drink and have passed urine. You would stay in the hospital for a minimum of 2-4 for observations. You will need a responsible adult to pick you up from the hospital and stay with you overnight.

Leaflet Details

Patient Information

After your surgery

• You will be going home on the day of your surgery after you are able to eat and drink and have passed urine. You would stay in the hospital for a minimum of 2-4 for observations. You will need a responsible adult to pick you up from the hospital and stay with you overnight.

Nose bleeds

• It is common to have nose bleeds in the next few days. This will be bright red to start off with, turning slightly darker until it settles. You will be given nasal bolsters (rolled gauze with ties) to apply over the opening of your nose to absorb the bleeding during the day. You are advised to keep this for the first 24-48 hours and change when it’s soaked/visibly dirty.
   
• Place an ice pack at the back of your neck and / or over your forehead. This will help stop the bleeding. You can do this as often as you are able and until the bleeding has settled. Ensure that you have enough supply of ice/cold packs to use.
   
• Occasionally, you may notice clots when removing the nasal bolster, this is normal and usually happens when the bleeding is starting to settle. This can be removed by gently pulling it. DO NOT blow your nose to try and clear it as this will cause more bleeding.

Pain

• Your nose will feel quite sore and swollen; this is common and will settle in the next few days. You need to take regular pain relief to help ease this.
   
• Some people may have a slight headache; this is also normal and will resolve in a day or two.

Wound Care

• You may notice some bruising on the bridge of your nose and under your eyes; this will resolve in a week or so.
   
• You will need to start your saline douche / wash 48 hours after surgery. You may be given the necessary equipment before leaving the unit, or in some cases, be advised to get specific nasal irrigating preparation through your local pharmacy. This needs to be done for two weeks or as instructed by your surgeons.
   
• You may also be advised to use nasal spray / drops to decongest your nose. Please follow the instructions on the packet.

Diet

• You can eat and drink as normal but avoid hot drinks and/or food for 48 hours. Any food or drink needs to be lukewarm or at room temperature. This will prevent further increase in bleeding.

Activities

• You need to take it easy for a couple of weeks. You are advised to take short walks the day after surgery, slowly building up to your normal activities.
   
• DO NOT blow your nose or sneeze forcefully for at least two weeks. If you have to sneeze, open your mouth when you do so.
   
• Avoid excessive head movements such as bending your head down repetitively for a few days as this puts pressure on your nose.
   
• Avoid people with coughs and/or colds and smoky, crowded places.
   
• Avoid hot bath / showers for 48 hours.
   
• You need to avoid excessive physical activity or contact sports for at least 2 weeks.
   
• You should not drive for a week and until you are able to make an emergency stop safely. It is advisable to check with your insurance company as they may have different policies.
   
• Depending on the type of job that you do, you can return to work after 2 weeks. If you have any concerns after this time, you need to discuss this with your employer.

Blood clot prevention

• It is important that you resume normal activities as advised and keep active. You must wear the anti-embolic stockings given to you for 7 days, both during the day and at night. They can be removed while you have a shower and applied again afterwards.
   
• Depending on your medical risk factors, you may be prescribed blood-thinning injections to take after your operation. These help prevent blood clots such as in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) or the lung (pulmonary embolus).

Follow up appointment

• You may be given an outpatient follow up appointment between 4-6 weeks, this maybe in a form of a virtual clinic (telephone follow up). The details will be posted to you by your surgeon’s secretary.
   
• You will be informed if a biopsy (tissue sample) has been taken and sent for testing. If this is the case, your surgeon will either write to you with the results or discuss it with you during your outpatient appointment.
   
• If you do not require any outpatient appointments, you can contact your GP for any further queries.

What to watch out for:

Please contact your GP if:

• The pain relief you are taking is not sufficient
   
• If you develop a high temperature, severe headache and / or offensive nasal discharge

Please attend Accident and Emergency department if:

• The pain becomes severe and unmanageable
   
• The bleeding becomes heavy and excessive (you are having to change your nasal bolster 3 times in an hour and it is completely soaked)
   
• You experience difficulty of breathing and / or coughing blood

Useful contact numbers:

• ENT clinic Ashford Hospital 01784 884346 Monday to Friday
   
• Day Surgery Unit Ashford Hospital 01784 884609 or 01784 884189 between 8am-9pm Monday to Friday
   
• Clandon ward Royal Surrey County Hospital 01483 464067 after 9pm on weekdays, all day weekend and bank holidays
   
• ASPH Main Switchboard 01932 872000 and ask to be connected to your surgeon’s secretary for appointment queries

If you feel unwell and needed urgent medical care, please go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department immediately and bring your discharge letter with you.