What to expect immediately after surgery
Your child will receive intravenous fluids and painkillers through several drip sites over the next 3 days.
They may have a small tube in the wound to drain away small amounts of blood.
Oxygen will be given via a mask or tubes in the nose.
A urinary catheter is inserted in theatre and will remain in place for 2 – 3 days.
As your child has been on their stomach throughout the operation, their face or lips may be a little swollen. This should settle after a few days.
Female patients may experience menstruation (a period).
Pain relief following surgery
Spinal surgery is a big operation and it may not be possible to take all of the pain away in the early days after surgery. Medication will help and your child should be more comfortable as they begin to recover.
The Acute Pain Team will be actively involved in your child’s care and will visit on a daily basis.
Wherever possible your child will be encouraged to use age appropriate pain scores to assess their pain. These will be explained during your child’s admission.
Pain relief is mainly provided through a combination of strong pain medicine given via a drip in your child’s vein (intravenous) and orally (by mouth). Often, local anaesthetic is administered via an epidural catheter for extra pain relief.
This will be removed 48 hours post-operatively and your child will be encouraged to take oral pain relief.
Oral medication can also be given via a gastrostomy site if required. Pain relief will be discussed in more detail during your pre-assessment
Post-operative recovery
Usually your child will be ready to drink small sips of water after surgery. If they tolerate small amounts of fluid without feeling sick, they will be offered something light to eat. Nausea (feeling sick) is a possible side effect of major surgery, anaesthesia and some pain relieving drugs. Medication can be given intravenously or orally for this so always let a nurse know if your child is feeling sick.
Antibiotics may be given intravenously following surgery to help prevent infection.
Your child will be given laxatives to prevent constipation, which is common after major surgery and taking pain relief.
Some patients may experience itchiness, which can be a side effect of some pain relieving medication. Please let someone know if your child becomes itchy as anti-histamines can be given for this.
Your child will be re-positioned regularly and will be encouraged to move around the bed as much as they are able. This will help prevent any muscle stiffness and aches.
Hot packs can be used for pain relief and can be very useful for muscle pain.
As part of your child’s recovery, the nursing staff and physiotherapists will encourage your child to do some deep breathing exercises.
Early mobilisation is encouraged to speed up recovery. Your child will be seen at least once per day by the physio to assist with this.
From day 1 following surgery a physiotherapist will come and see your child and help them to sit on the edge of the bed and if able, to stand.
Your child will require a blood test the day after their surgery and in some cases may require a blood transfusion.
As your child gets better, the intravenous fluid lines, drains and urinary catheter will be removed.
Your child will have adhesive dressings on the wound, which will be changed prior to discharge. All sutures are usually dissolvable.
The nursing team and the physiotherapists will encourage mobility and will assist your child to sit up in bed the day of surgery. They will then progress to sitting on the edge of the bed, to standing and then to sit in a chair and to walk.
Our aim is for your child to manage to sit on the edge of the bed and stand the day following their surgery.
If your child usually climbs stairs and you have stairs at home, our physiotherapists will assess them on the stairs and ensure they are able to walk up and down them safely before they go home.
If your child has a neuromuscular condition your usual moving and handling techniques may need to be modified after surgery. Nurses, physios and an occupational therapist will encourage and assist with hoisting and sitting out for short periods of time to begin with and build these times up during your stay, to ensure a comfortable sitting position before discharge.
Sometimes wheelchairs need adjustments made after surgery, it is advisable to contact your local wheelchair services prior to your child’s admission to inform them of this.
