You will see your child soon after surgery. Their face may look puffy when they wake up. This is because they will have been lying face down. It will go back to normal after a while.
A monitor will check their:
- heart rate
- blood pressure
- oxygen levels
They will also be attached to a drip for fluids and pain medicine.
They may have a tube going into their bladder (catheter) to help them pee. They may also have a tube going from their nose to their stomach (nasogastric tube) to stop them getting sick. This is normal. The tubes will be removed as they feel better.
They'll also get medicine to help with constipation. This is a very common side effect of surgery.
Children with complex needs
Children with complex needs may need to spend some time in the intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit (HDU). This is so they can be closely monitored.
A child might need to be transferred to ICU if they become unwell.
If your child uses a wheelchair
After surgery an occupational therapist (OT) and physiotherapist will review your child and:
- check their movement and pain
- get them to sit up and move
- check if their wheelchair is still suitable for them
- review how they transfer in and out of bed
- prepare your child for discharge
Your child will receive more OT care after discharge.
Exercise after surgery
Your child will be asked to get out of bed the day after surgery. It is important they move their body. This is so they can get used to its new alignment.
Moving helps to:
- loosen their muscles
- reduce stiffness
- improve their breathing
- control their blood pressure and dizziness
A physiotherapist (physio) or OT will show them how to roll on their side, sit over the edge of the bed and try to stand. Every day they will help them to move more.
Your child may feel dizzy or sick when they stand. This is normal. They will get anti-sickness medicine to help with this.
An OT will support your child to sit out into their wheelchair or specialist comfort chair.
They will check their ability to:
- get in and out of bed
- go to the toilet
- get in and out of a car
A physio will give them a breathing device called an incentive spirometer. This helps them to take deep breaths. It reduces their chance of getting a chest infection after surgery.
Dressings
A nurse will check your child's wound dressings often for any signs of swelling or redness.
Going home after spinal surgery
Most children stay in hospital for 3 to 7 days after spinal surgery. Some children may need to stay longer.
To go home, your child needs to be able to do some of the things they normally do. This includes eating, drinking and going to the toilet by themselves. They'll also need to have an x-ray.
You'll be given discharge information such as:
- medicines your child has been prescribed
- a care plan for their wound
- details of follow-up appointments or treatments