In-Patient Leaflet
Welcome to the ward
This booklet has been designed to explain the
procedure you are about to undergo and to advise you
on each stage, whilst you are in hospital. It also gives
helpful advice on what to expect after the operation
and on discharge from hospital.
Why have the operation?
Because of the nature of the surgery involved, it has
been decided on the clinic that it would be more
appropriate for you to be admitted to hospital and
have surgery under a general anaesthesia.
On your arrival to the ward details of your medical
history will be checked and you will be examined to
assess your fitness for surgery.
Your pulse, blood pressure and temperature will be
recorded and you will also have your weight and urine
checked.
One of the nurses will explain the general run of the
ward, the approximate time of your operation and will
be happy to answer any questions you may have.
As a general rule visiting hours are from 8.00 am to
8.00 pm, except on the day of operation.
Day of operation
On the day of operation you must have nothing to eat
or drink for at least six hours before you to go theatre.
If your operation is in the morning this means nothing
to eat or drink after midnight, if you are going to
theatre in the afternoon you will be given a light
breakfast, but you must not have anything after that.
You will need to have a bath or shower and put on
your theatre gown. You will also need to remove all
make-up, jewellery or dentures before going to
theatre.
The nurse will bring your pre-medication about an
hour before the operation this should relax you and
make you feel drowsy. The first dose of antibiotic is
often given at this time to minimise the risk of
infection.
After your return from theatre your pulse and blood
pressure will be checked and your progress
monitored, but you will probably just want to sleep!
Prescribed painkillers are available and will be
dispensed if you request them.
You may have some gauze packs in your mouth when
you return to the ward, these are to stop any bleeding
that may occur and they will be removed as soon as
advisable.
If you are not feeling too sick you can have a drink
when you feel able, and you will be offered something
to eat later in the day.
We advise that only one visitor comes to see you on
the day of operation, and that they only stay for a short
time to ensure that you have plenty of rest.
Following the operation
Following your operation there will probably be some
swelling and discomfort around the jaw. There may be
some limitation of mouth opening or bruising. These
are to be expected and are normal when undergoing
oral surgery. The amount of swelling and how long it
lasts are difficult to predict.
After some operations, there may be tingling or
numbness of the lower lip or tongue due to bruising of
the nerves in the surgical area. For instance, the
removal of deeply impacted teeth in the lower jaw may
be followed by tingling or numbness of the lower lip or
tongue.
Following a general anaesthetic, you are likely to feel
tired for a few days and may well have some sleep
disturbance as well as some generalised muscular
aches and pains, this is quite normal. You throat may
also feel rather dry and sore but this will improve after
a couple of days. You may also feel nauseated after
your operation but this should pass off in a matter of
hours.
You can minimise problems in the period following
your operation by the following suggestions in this
booklet.
It is best to take it easy for a few days following
surgery. Even if you feel well enough to go back to
work you must remember that a general anaesthetic
can adversely affect your performance for some time
afterwards and this is particularly true if you have to
operate complex machinery or if your job involves
prolonged periods of concentration. Depending on the
procedure you have undergone, you may need to be
off work for the following week. If the time you have off
is less than six days then you are entitled to fill out
your own medical certificate. However, if the time off
work exceeds six days, then a medical certificate can
be supplied.
It is important to keep you mouth as clean as possible
after surgery. Do not feel afraid of using your
toothbrush carefully. Even if there is a small amount of
bleeding it is important to remember that the cleaner
the mouth the quicker the healing.
Hot salt water mouth baths are helpful in reducing
swelling, easing restriction of mouth opening and
promoting healing. Dissolve half a teaspoon of
ordinary salt in half a pint of hot water. Take a
mouthful and hold over the affected part of the mouth.
When the mouth bath has cooled spit it out and repeat
until the half pint is used. Repeat every 2 to 3 hours
while the swelling or discomfort persists.
Toothbrushing and hot salt water mouth baths should
commence on the day following surgery.
If you wish proprietary brands of mouthwash can be
used to freshen the mouth.
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected and
this may appear more than it actually is because of
dilution with saliva. If bleeding does occur, the best
way to stop it is to bite on a clean handkerchief,
placed firmly over the socket. Leave this in place for at
least half an hour and sit down and rest. Repeat this if
necessary.
Eat what you are able to and drink plenty of fluids.
Painkillers may be taken as necessary, eg
paracetamol 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours. (It is
important not to take more than 8 tablets in a 24 hour
period.) If you have been given stronger painkillers to
take home from the hospital, these should be taken as
an ALTERNATIVE to painkillers which you have at
home, not in addition.
Other drugs should be taken as prescribed. For
instance, you may have been given a course of
antibiotics to minimise the risk of post-operative
infection. If Metronidazole (an antibiotic) is prescribed
you must not drink any alcohol until the course is
completed as this may induce severe nausea and
vomiting.
Other special instructions relating to your particular
operation should be closely followed.
An out patient appointment will be made before you
leave the hospital to review your progress post
operatively. It is rarely necessary to remove sutures as
resolvable sutures are nearly always used inside the
mouth.
If you are worried, eg by increasing severe pain, gross
swelling, or persistent bleeding after you have left
hospital, do not hesitate to contact us. It is always best
to telephone before returning to the hospital, as simple
advice may be all that is necessary. When telephoning
the hospital out or normal working hours then ring 023
9228 6000 and please request to speak to the on call
oral surgeon who will advise whether a return visit to
the hospital is required. The telephone number for the
Department of Oral Surgery, Queen Alexandra
Hospital is 023 9228 6058.
WHY HAVE THE OPERATION?
Because of the nature of the surgery involved, it has been
decided on the clinic that it would be more appropriate for
you to be admitted to hospital and have surgery under
general anaesthetic.
DEPARTMENT OF ORAL SURGERY
QUEEN ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL
COSHAM
On your arrival to the ward details of your medical history
will be checked and you will be examined to assess your
fitness for surgery.
Your pulse, blood pressure and temperature will be
recorded and you will also have your weight and urine
checked.
WELCOME TO THE WARD
One of the nurses will explain the general run of the ward,
the approximate time of your operation and will be happy to
answer any questions you may have.
This booklet has been designed to explain the procedure
you are about to undergo and to advise you on each stage,
whilst you are in hospital.
As a general rule visiting hours are from 8.00 am until 8.00
pm, except on the day of operation.
You will need to have a bath or a shower and put on your
theatre gown. You will also need to remove all make-up,
jewellery or dentures before going to theatre.
The nurse will bring your pre-medication about an hour
before the operation, this should relax you and make you
feel drowsy. The first dose of antibiotic is often given at
this time to minimise the risk of inflection.
After your return from theatre your pulse and blood
pressure will be checked and your progress monitored, but
you will probably just want to sleep!
Prescribed painkillers are available and will be dispensed if
you request them.
You may have some gauze packs in your mouth when you
return to the ward, these are to stop any bleeding that may
occur and they will be removed as soon as advisable.
If you are not feeling too sick you can have a drink when
you feel able, and you will be offered something to eat later
in the day.
DAY OF OPERATION
On the day of operation you must have nothing to eat or
drink for at least 6 hours before you go to theatre. If your
operation is in the morning this means nothing to eat or
drink after midnight, if you are going to theatre in the
afternoon you will be given a light breakfast, but you
mustn't have anything after that.
We advise that only one visitor comes to see you on the day
of operation, and that they only stay for a short time to
ensure that you have plenty of rest.