Pre Operative Instructions

SURGERY INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

You will be notified regarding your surgery by mail. You will receive a letter from our office stating the exact day you are scheduled and also a post-operative appointment with your doctor. You will be notified regarding the time of arrival when the day of surgery approaches. Be aware that most surgeries start in the morning, and the schedule goes according to age and procedure.

Please read the following instructions carefully, and if any questions arise, please call our office.

BLOOD TESTS

If indicated, a pre-admission testing appointment will be made for you. It will consist of anesthesia consult, diagnostic testing (ie: blood work, x-rays), or both. If you have any irregular bleeding tendencies, please alert your doctor.

All tests will be ordered by your surgeon and performed in the hospital or surgicenter where your surgery is scheduled approximately one week prior to that date.

N P O MEANS NOTHING BY MOUTH

All adults are to have nothing to eat or drink from midnight the night before surgery is scheduled.

Children like adults, also need to limit the amount of fluids and food during the night and morning before surgery. Children can be given fluids before surgery if you follow these guidelines exactly:

  • Infants under 1 year of age – They may have a regular diet up until 6 hours prior to the time of their surgery. Between 6 and 3 hours before they may have clear fluids only. We ask that you give no more than 6 oz. of clear fluids at their last feeding. Nothing should be given for 3 hours before their surgery.
  • Children between 1 and 12 years of age – They may have a regular diet up until 8 hours prior to their surgery. Between 8 and 3 hours before they may have clear fluids only. We ask that you give no more than 8 oz. of clear fluids at their last drink. Nothing should be given for 3 hours before their surgery.
  • Children older than 12 years of age – They may have a regular diet up until 8 hours before their surgery. Nothing should be given to them after that point.
  • *Clear fluids include Pedialyte, Hi-C, ginger-ale, apple juice, water, or Kool-aid only (no gum, candy, breast milk, cereal, donuts, milk, formula, toast, cookies, etc.).

Failure to observe the NPO REQUIREMENTS may lead to delay or cancellation of your surgery. Any questions, please call the office at 413-732-7426.

COLD OR ILLNESS

Children with an unexplained fever, vomiting or symptoms of a flu-like illness may be at an increased risk for a general anesthetic. If your child has these symptoms, surgery may be postponed. Please call your surgeon to alert him of these conditions as soon as possible before surgery to prevent the inconvenience of having surgery cancelled on the morning of surgery.

Generally we prefer the child be free of such illness for one week prior to surgery. Chronic runny nose, teething and hayfever do not pose a problem. We also ask that you call your surgeon if the child has come in close contact with another child with measles, chickenpox or German measles, within the immediate preoperative period.

ARRIVAL TIME THROUGH DISCHARGE TIME

Adults having general anesthesia, should have someone bring them to the hospital the day of surgery and also have someone to bring them home. The patient may not be feeling up to normal activities immediately.

Children should also be accompanied by a parent (or a legal guardian) to the hospital the day of surgery. We ask you to stay at the center throughout the admission, surgical and recovery periods. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and meet with your surgeon after the procedure. Parents will be reunited with their child as soon as he/she begins to awaken. Your child will be given fluids to drink before you take him/her home. You will then be given any instructions you need as to restrictions or special care he/she might need.

Everyone must arrive at the surgical center 1 1/2 hours before the scheduled time of surgery.

THE HOSPITAL OR SURGICENTER WILL CALL THE DAY BEFORE TO NOTIFY YOU OF THAT EXACT TIME OF ARRIVAL.

We realize that for the majority of our patients, having an operation is a new and potentially frightening experience. Children may feel more at home with a favorite toy, blanket, or pillow to share this moment with. Please feel free to bring any item that your child is close to. If you have any questions that have not been answered here, please feel free to contact our office.

Sincerely,

THE STAFF AT EAR, NOSE & THROAT SURGEONS OF WESTERN NEW ENGLAND LLC