Douglas G. Mann, MD, FACS
200A Jones Road, Falmouth, MA 02540 ~ 508.540.0900

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Instructions Following Sinus Surgery

The important thing to remember about sinus surgery is that we open the sinuses surgically, and wait for the body to then clear the infection. The beneficial effects of surgery may not be realized for several weeks afterwards.

What to expect:

1. If you have packing, it may be in the sinus only, or filling the nose if your turbinates were also reduced. If it is filling the nose:

• You will be wearing a gauze dressing under the nose. You may need to change it hourly, because of saturation with blood and/or mucus.
  
• You will be breathing through your mouth. Keep your mouth moist by drinking fluids. Small sips will be easier, since big gulps have a tendency to bother the packed nose
  
• Sleep (if you can at all) sitting up.
  

2. If the pack is only in the sinuses:

• Your nose is not completely blocked. Treat your nose as if there were no packing (below).
  
• We will remove the sinus pack in __ day(s).
  

3. If there is no packing:

• You will have some blood and mucus draining from your nose and down your throat.
  
• Your nose will get very stuffy after all the medications wear off. You can use Afrin® nasal spray twice daily to help you breathe better.
  
• It will take several days to two weeks before you will start noticing the improvement from your surgery.
  

4. We will see you at 2-week intervals to clean the nose endoscopically, removing crusts as needed to ensure good sinus drainage.

• If you have HMO insurance, you will need referrals that specify “nasal endoscopy-debridement”
  

What you can do to promote healing:

• Once the packing is out, use saline nasal spray (Ocean®, Nasal®, etc.) to help keep the nose clear of mucus and crusts. You may sniff to help clear the nose.
  
• Avoid blowing your nose
  
• Avoid heavy lifting or any sports where your nose might get hit.
  

When to call us:

• If your nose is bleeding, and doesn’t respond to a couple of sprays of Afrin® nasal spray
  
• If you get totally blocked after the packing is out, especially if the pain seems to be getting worse, there is fever, or the nose is looking more swollen.
  

Your prescriptions:

• Vicodin ES #15 - take one every 4 hours for pain
  
• Levaquin 500mg #5 - take one daily
  
• Bactroban Nasal Ointment: #15 gm
  INSTRUCTIONS:
  
  1. Empty 1/3 of the tube of ointment into a 45 ml bottle of Ocean® Nasal Spray.
     
  2. Warm for 20 seconds in the microwave and recap, shaking to mix
     
  3. Use this solution, 2 sprays in each nostril, 4 times a day.
     

Follow-up:

• Call the office to make an appointment for packing removal, if applicable, or for 1 week followup.
  

Call me if you have any questions at all regarding your surgery or the healing process at (508)-540-0900.

© 2005 Douglas G. Mann, M.D.
Upper Cape Ear, Nose & Throat, PC

Any information provided on this Web site should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for a consultation with a physician. If you have a medical problem, contact your local physician for diagnosis and treatment.