Alveolar Cleft Bone Graft Post Operative Instructions
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY:
Your child will spend a brief period of time in the recovery room and then will go to a hospital room usually on the 6th floor of Mott Hospital. After surgery your child will have an incision inside his/her mouth with stitches that will dissolve over time (will not need to be removed). Do not allow your child to raise their lip to look at the incision site. Red drainage from the nose and mouth is very common after surgery. They will also have a clear plastic bandage over the hip incision. The sutures will not need to be removed they will dissolve over time. Your child may feel like they have a " Charlie horse" in their leg. They may have a limp for a couple of weeks after the surgery. If your child has had Bilateral alveolar cleft bone graft they will have a plastic wafer wired in their mouth for 6 weeks. The wafer will be removed by the surgeon. Your child will usually be released from the hospital 1 day after surgery.
WOUND CARE:
Care must be taken to avoid letting the child place hard objects or his/her hand in his/her mouth. Your child can brush his/her teeth with a small, soft toothbrush, avoiding the surgical area. Physical activity and lifting weights greater than 25 lbs is not allowed for 6 weeks. Your child may take a shower but no baths until instructed by your surgeon. Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) can be applied to his/her lips frequently to keep them moist.
DIET:
Your child is not allowed to use straws, spoons or utensils until cleared by the surgeon. Your child may use a cup or a syringe for eating. A liquid diet, (no ice cream or popsicles) is preferred for 2 weeks, and if all is well after that period your child can be advanced to a soft diet for 4 weeks. Foods to consider are apple sauce, cottage cheese (pureed), gelatin, baby food, yogurt without fruit, and mashed potatoes. At 6 weeks he/she can start a regular diet. There is a great website for information on liquids and recipes. The website is www.8weekswired.com.
PRESCRIPTIONS:
The surgeon may recommend a mild pain reliever such as liquid children's acetaminophen or acetaminophen with codeine for discomfort. The pain reliever should be taken with food. Peridex (a prescription mouth wash) will also be given to use at home. The pain reliever should only be taken when you need it. Your child may experience nasal and sinus congestion, but he/she should not blow his/her nose. A saline nasal spray may be used to help with nasal congestion and crusting.
WHEN TO CALL:
If your child starts to run a fever (over 100.5 F) check to make sure they are getting enough liquids. Dehydration can cause the body temperature to rise. If you notice he/she is not taking any food or liquids, has increased irritability, or vomiting please give us a call.
RETURN TO CLINIC:
Your child will be given an appointment to return to the clinic for a post-operative check before you are discharged from the hospital. This will usually be about two weeks after surgery. Bring any questions you have to this appointment. If you are unable to keep the appointment, please be sure to call and reschedule.
MEDICAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL:
Pediatric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic: 8AM- 5PM (734)-936-5950 or (734)-936-8289. After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734)936-6267 and ask for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery resident on call.