|
porcelain26 -> RE: Hyperparathyroidism (11/28/2008 10:19:36 PM)
|
I can't tell you much about the recovery process past the 1-3 days patients are on my post-surgical floor ;) But here is what I've seen *most* often.
There is usually a long scar across the throat that is either sutured or glued shut when patients arrive to the floor. There isn't usually a bandage over this incision, and more often than not, patients also have a JP (Jackson-Pratt) drain coming out near the incision as well. This is a small, flat, drain that goes into the surgical site to help drain excess fluid from the surgery. It usually comes out in 3-7 days.
The main concern for us when these patients come back to the floor is first of all, respiratory status. So generally, we have you on either a mist mask or humidified oxygen to make breathing easier (when the air is moist, it's also more soothing to your throat), or we'll have a humidifier by the bedside. When we do vital signs, we'll also tap the side of your cheeks, facial ticks caused by us doing this are an indication of hypocalcemia, which can cause serious complications after sugery. We'll watch you pretty close that first night, and then be a bit less 'hovery' one subsequent nights.
Most generally, the worst pain our patients feel is having a raw throat from the intubation (drinking fluids helps this a lot, ice chips are a good thing!). This is the first night I'm referring to. After the first night, you feel a general soreness and stiffness from the sugery, and you'll probably start feeling the incision pull because the local's the surgeon used will have worn off. But it's not usually anything too terrible.
Keep in mind, the hospital where I work is fairly small, so the way we do things and the way they're done at a huge hospital might be very different. But, this is my experience with the process. I hope it helps!
*edited for spelling errors
|
|
|
|
