Your child needs an operation to remove polyps (say: PAUL-ips) from their nose. This operation is called a nasal polypectomy (say: NAY-sull paul-ip-ECK-toe-mee).
This page explains what happens during the operation and how to take care of your child after the operation. Use this information to explain to your child what will happen, using words they can understand.
What are nasal polyps?
Nasal means nose. Nasal polyps are smooth, round, ball-like growths inside the nose. Polyps may grow only on one side or on both sides. If they grow large enough to block the passageway through the nose, it makes it hard for your child to breathe. If this happens, your child's polyps need to be taken out so your child can breathe more easily.
An otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon will do the operation. An otolaryngologist (say: OH-toe-LAR-ing-GOLL-oh-jist) is a doctor who specializes in problems with the ears, nose and throat.
Before the operation
Several hours before the operation, your child will need to stop eating and drinking. The doctor or nurse will tell you when your child must stop eating and drinking.
Write this information down here:
The date and time of the operation:
When your child must stop eating:
When your child must stop drinking clear fluids:
Other things to remember:
Important phone numbers
My child's doctor is:
The doctor's phone number is:
The otolaryngology clinic nurse's number is:
What happens during the operation
Your child will be given a special "sleep medicine" called a general anaesthetic. This makes sure your child will sleep through the operation and will not feel any pain.
The doctor will use a special tool to remove the polyps through the nose. Then the doctor will put packing inside the nose to keep pressure on the area. This keeps the nose from bleeding after the polyps are removed. Your child will not have any cuts on the outside of their nose.
The operation takes around one to two hours. It depends on how many polyps your child has.
You can see your child as soon as they are awake
After the operation, we will take your child to the recovery room, also called the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU). This is where your child will wake up. Your child will stay in the PACU for about one hour. Then we will move your child to a room on the nursing unit.
You will be able to see your child as soon as they are fully awake. A volunteer from the Surgical Waiting Room will bring you to see your child.
Your child will have an intravenous tube (IV) in their arm. We will give your child fluids through the IV until they are able to drink easily.
Your child will have nasal packing in place with a small gauze dressing (moustache dressing) taped under the nose to catch any dripping. We will change this dressing each time it gets wet. Your child's doctor will take the packing out in the PACU or the day after the operation. The moustache dressing may be needed for one to three more days.
Making your child comfortable after the operation
If your child has pain after the operation, we will give them pain medicine, either through the IV tube in their arm or by a pill or liquid to swallow. If you think your child is in pain, tell the nurse.
Here are some other ways to make your child more comfortable:
- Cold compresses and sitting upright may help to reduce swelling.
- Mouth rinses and a humidifier at the bedside will help make your child's mouth less dry. Your child will be breathing through their mouth while the packing is in place.
Eating and drinking
Your child will probably ask for sips of water two to three hours after the operation. When your child can tolerate liquids, we will start adding soft foods.
Your child will stay in the hospital for one to two days
Your child will stay in the hospital for one to two days after the operation. You will be able to stay overnight with your child in their room.
Caring for your child at home
Please follow these steps at home to help your child get better:
- Your child will have a moustache dressing under their nose. Please keep this bandage on for one to three days after going home. You will need to change this dressing when it gets wet. When there is no more drainage from the nose you may stop using the moustache dressing.
- Do not let your child play contact sports or go swimming until the doctor says it is OK.
- No bending or heavy lifting for at least one week.
- Do not let your child blow their nose (unless your doctor tells your child to). Have them cough or sneeze with their mouth open. If they must blow the nose, do it very gently, one side at a time.
- Your child can return to school or day care when your doctor says it is okay. This is usually one week after the operation.
- Your doctor may have prescribed some medicine for your child. The nurse will give you a prescription before your child leaves the hospital.
Pain management at home
Follow these instructions when your child goes home after the procedure.
You may give your child medicine for pain.
You may receive a prescription for pain medication before you leave the hospital. Follow the dosage instructions given to you by the pharmacist. Although these prescription pain medications can be beneficial, they are also potentially very dangerous if not used properly.
When using these medications, if you notice any changes in either breathing or level of drowsiness that concern you, stop the medication and seek medical attention. If your child is unresponsive, call 911 immediately.
Do not give your child over-the-counter medicine that may have a sedative effect (makes people sleepy) while giving the prescription for pain medicine. Examples of these medicines are decongestants and antihistamines. Discuss these medications with your pharmacist.
You may give your child acetaminophen if they have pain. Give the dose printed on the bottle for your child's age. Do not give your child ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for two weeks after the surgery. These medications could increase your child's risk of bleeding after the operation. Check with the nurse or doctor first before giving these medicines to your child.
Your child will need to see the doctor again
The otolaryngology unit will make a follow-up appointment with the doctor for your child. During the appointment, the doctor will check your child's nose to see how it is healing.
Write the date and time of the appointment here:
When to call the doctor
Please call your child's doctor, the otolaryngology clinic, a walk-in clinic, or your family doctor right away if your child has any of these signs after going home:
- fever of 38.5°C (101°F) or higher
- blood from the nose
- vomiting (throwing up) that does not stop
- pain that gets worse
- foul-smelling, greenish-yellow drainage from the nose
If this is an emergency or you are worried, do not wait. Take your child to the closest emergency department right away.