What to expect at the Pediatric Surgery Center

Upon arrival at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, you will check into the Pediatric Surgery Center located on floor L1. Once you are checked in, the staff will start to prepare your child in the pre-operative area. This process takes about 90 minutes. You will be with your child through this process. When the doctor is finished with the procedure, the staff will take your child to the recovery room where you will join them. Expect to be at the surgery center for 3-4 hours.

Care of the surgical site

Eye drops along with instructions will be given to you at the time of the procedure. These are to be used after the surgery to help reduce the risk of infection and swelling.

Eye Drop Instructions

Ask your child to look up and gently pull down your child’s lower eyelid to apply eye drop/ointment inside the eyelid. Having your child lie down can be a helpful position. You may need more than one person to help give the medication.

Changes you could expect to see

It can be normal to see residual tearing and/or drainage for a few days after the procedure. In some cases, tearing can last up to 1-2 weeks. Using a warm compress to wipe away any crustiness or drainage.
Your child may have a few bloody tears or may experience a bloody nose. This is usually seen for only a short time after the procedure but could last up to 24-48 hours.
Possible nausea/vomiting can occur up to 12 hours, after general anesthesia. 

When can my child get wet?

Your child may take a bath or shower after the procedure but be careful not to get standing water in the eye(s).
No swimming for 1 week.

What you need to know if your child has a silicone tube placed.

You may see a tiny clear plate in the inner corner of the eye. The tube stays in place for a few months. Your child will need to be seen back in our office to have the tube removed.

When should my child be seen again?

One of our technicians will contact you by phone the day after surgery. Our office will also call you in 2 weeks to check on the status of the tearing. If tearing is no longer present there will be no need for a post-op visit. If tearing or discharge persists, we may see your child back in our office.

If a tube is placed, we will see your child in our office 2 weeks after the procedure. Removal of the tube will typically be 3 months after the tube is placed.