How to Care for Your Child at Home After Thyroglossal Duct Excision Surgery

Dressing

Your child will have:

• White gauze dressing covered by clear plastic (Tegaderm®) - Remove this dressing after 3 days.
• Under the gauze will be small white bandages (Steri-strips®) – These will usually fall off in 1-3 weeks.

Stitches

Stitches hold the incision together.

• They are under the skin. They do not need to be removed.
• The body will absorb them.

Bath

• Keep the dressing dry for 2 days. Sponge bathing is okay.
• After 2 days, your child should have a tub bath to help remove the dressing. Your child can then bathe or shower as usual.

Activity

Today:

• Your child should rest quietly for the next 24 hours or have quiet supervised play.
• Your child may be unsteady on his feet.
• Naps may be off schedule today. They may be longer or shorter than usual.

After today:

• Your child’s activity can be as it was before surgery unless restricted by your physician.

Diet

• Your child may eat or drink as usual.
• If vomiting occurs, do not give your child anything to eat or drink for 2 hours. Then offer small amounts of clear liquids, half strength formula or half strength juice until your child does not vomit any more. Then slowly start on their normal diet.

Pain

• Your child may have a prescription for pain medication such as oxycodone. If the incision remains uncomfortable, use the prescription medication according to instructions.
• Your child may take Tylenol® (acetaminophen) or Motrin® (ibuprofen) for discomfort if the pain is mild.

Please call your child's pediatric surgeon or pediatric nurse practitioner with questions at 617-726-0270.

Rev. 12/2019. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed in this handout. This document is intended to provide health related information so that you may be better informed. It is not a substitute for a doctor's medical advice and should not be relied upon for treatment for specific medical conditions.