Hospital Admission Instructions
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is surgery involving the teeth, gums, jaws and face. All surgical procedures have risks. Surgery involving the oral and maxillofacial region may cause complications depending upon the anatomical site of the surgery, individual variation in anatomy, your age, your health, the degree in complexity of the procedure and your co-operation.
Most of the problems are rare.
BEFORE THE DAY OF SURGERY
Make sure you have received your estimated fee schedule for your surgery from Dr Thornton, your anaesthetist and the hospital.
Please notify our office as soon as possible if you contract Covid-19 before your surgery date.
Notify us as soon as you become aware of any changes to your medical history or what medications you are prescribed.
Ensure you have been notified from the hospital (at least the day before your surgery), the time you need to arrive at the hospital and what time you should start fasting. Contact the hospital if you have not heard from them. You will need to be fasted (nothing to eat or drink) for 6 hours before your surgery unless told otherwise.
Make sure you have arranged for an escort and expect to need approximately one-week at home for your post-operative recovery.
ON THE DAY OF SURGERY
Remember to fast on the day of your surgery (nothing to eat or drink) as advised by your hospital (usually 6 hours).
However, still take all your regular prescribed medication (unless advised not to by me) with a small glass of water.
Clean your teeth and then rinse with Listerine mouthwash.
Most operations are day surgery procedures. This means you will go home on the same day as your surgery. You will need to have an escort to drive you home and be with you for at least 24 hours. Ask for a Medical Certificate on the day of your surgery if you or your carer require one.
AFTER SURGERY
For most surgical procedures, healing is uneventful. The potential risk of infection can be minimised with good oral hygiene.
Brush your teeth and rinse after meals with your Listerine (no alcohol) mouthwash for at least 2 weeks.
If necessary, use your Monoject syringe provided to flush out any food debris that has collected in the sockets/surgical site.
Swelling almost always occurs after surgery and can vary from a little too severe.
Most swelling takes four to five days to go down completely and ice packs are recommended.
If bleeding occurs, keep firm pressure on the bite pack for one hour or until the bleeding stops.
Take your normal prescribed medication and your antibiotic if also prescribed for you.
When the local anaesthetic has worn off you should expect some discomfort. You will be prescribed analgesics for pain relief.
Usually the analgesics will be Panadol (Paracetamol) &/or Nurofen (Ibuprofen) or Panadeine Forte (Paracetamol & Codeine).
Do NOT take more than the prescribed maximum daily dose. NSAID like Ibuprofen should be taken with a full glass of water.
Codeine may cause nausea and/or constipation. Having something to eat when taking the Codeine based analgesic may help if nausea is a problem. If constipation becomes troublesome take a mild laxative like Metamucil.
Do not have anything hot to eat or drink until the local anaesthetic has worn off so you don’t accidently burn yourself.
A soft diet is advisable. Eat regular meals and drink plenty of fluids.
If you experience post-operative nausea, stop all food, drink, antibiotics and codeine. Sip flat lemonade and eat dry biscuits until nauseous feeling passes. You can then resume your antibiotic, food, drinks and analgesics as required.
If you need any further guidance, please phone my Blacktown Rooms 9621 2133 or pager 9430 6987 (out of hours)
POST-OPERATIVE REVIEW
Normally you will be reviewed 2 weeks post-operatively unless otherwise advised.
Contact my Blacktown Rooms to make an appointment if arrangements have not already been made.
Generally, I use plain sutures that will fall out and so you do not have to have them removed.
If more convenient to see your referring doctor due to travelling distances, it can be arranged.
