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Kids Health Info

Paediatric surgery - discharge care after day surgery


  • For children going home after having a circumcision, hernia repair, orchidopexy or other surgical day procedures in the Department of Paediatric Surgery.

    Eating and drinking

    • Your child can start eating a light diet such as sandwiches, pasta, soups and jelly. Your child may return to their usual diet when they feel well enough.
    • Babies can start breastfeeding, or drinking formula or water as soon as they are awake from the procedure.

    Nausea and vomiting

    • Do not worry if your child feels sick or vomits once or twice after leaving hospital.
    • If they vomit or feel sick, stop giving food for about one hour. Then try a light diet if your child can manage it without feeling ill.
    • If your child keeps vomiting, please call the contact numbers you have been given or your nearest hospital emergency department.

    Wound care

    • If your child has a dressing, please follow the instruction of your surgeon about how to look after it.
    • Stitches are dissolvable and do not need to be taken out.

    Activity

    • Because your child has had an anaesthetic, they should rest at home for the next two days with an adult taking care of them.
    • Your child may be unsteady on their feet for four to six hours after the anaesthetic. They will need an adult to support them when they walk, even for short trips such as going to the toilet.
    • The surgeon will recommend when your child should return to childcare, kindergarten or school.
    • Your child should avoid contact sports or bike riding for one to two weeks.

    Pain relief

    • Paracetamol can be given at home every four to six hours for one to two days if needed.  Read the packaging for the correct dose for your child according to their age. Ask for help if you need it. Do not give any medicine with paracetamol in it more than four times in 24 hours.
    • For more severe pain, call the contact numbers you have been given or see your GP.

      Follow-up

      • A follow up appointment will be posted to you in the week after your child's operation.
      • Contact your child's surgeon if you have any questions or concerns about their care at home. See contact details for the RCH below.

      Contact details

      • The Royal Children's Hospital
        T: (03) 9345 5522 (24hrs). 
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        Factsheet developed by the RCH Surgery Centre.  First published 2005. Updated August 2020.


    Disclaimer

    This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.