Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Surgery Recovery Guide

What should I expect?

• Pain and soreness around the incision and the front of the neck.
• Mild oozing from around the incision.

How do I care for a drain?

• You may go home with a drain. It is removed at your first post-op visit.
• Before you go home, the nurse will show you how to empty the drain and write down the amount. Empty it and write down the amount 3 times a day, for example in the morning, in the afternoon and at bedtime, and bring the record to your visit. You do not need to wake up at night to empty it.

1. 1Wash your hands, then open the stopper.
2. 2Pour the fluid into the measuring cup.
3. 3Squeeze the bulb flat, close the stopper, then let go.
4. 4Write down the amount and the time.

Emptying the drain. Bring your written record to your visit. The nurse will show you these steps before you go home.

How do I care for the incision?

• Remove the gauze dressing 24 hours after surgery.
• You may shower 24 hours after surgery. Let warm, soapy water run over the incision. Do not scrub it.
• No baths, pools, hot tubs or lakes for 2 weeks, or until your surgeon says the incision has healed.
• Do not smoke or vape until your surgeon confirms you have healed. Smoking slows healing and raises the chance of infection; quitting for good helps most.
• Sleep with your head raised on an extra pillow or two for 72 hours.

How should I manage pain?

Most people have mild to moderate pain that over-the-counter medicine controls well. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen together work better than either one alone. For children, use the weight-based doses below.

Adults

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): 1,000 mg every 6 hours, no more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours (or 3,000 mg if your package says so, or if you have liver problems or drink alcohol regularly).
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): 400 mg every 8 hours with food, or naproxen (Aleve): 1 tablet (220 mg) every 8 to 12 hours with food, no more than 3 tablets in 24 hours. Skip them if you have a stomach ulcer or kidney disease, or if your surgeon told you not to take them.
• If we prescribed a stronger (narcotic) pain medicine, use it only for pain the over-the-counter medicines do not control.
• If you take aspirin or a blood thinner, follow your surgeon’s instructions on when to restart it.

Children (liquid medicine, dosed by weight)

Dose by your child’s weight, not age: about 10 to 15 mg of acetaminophen and 5 to 10 mg of ibuprofen per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per dose. Give acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours (no more than 5 doses in 24 hours) and ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours (no more than 4 doses in 24 hours). The table shows doses of children’s liquid medicine for common weights; measure with the syringe or cup that comes with the medicine.

• Check the strength on the box. These amounts are only for the strengths shown. Infants’ ibuprofen drops are stronger, so do not use these amounts with them.

Medicine safety for children

• Do not give aspirin to children.
• Do not give codeine or tramadol to a child under 12. They can dangerously slow a child’s breathing, and the FDA warns against this use. For anyone under 18, ask us before using either one.
• Ask your pharmacist if your child takes other medicines or has other health conditions.

When can I get back to normal?

• No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 2 weeks.
• For 1 week after surgery, stay within about an hour’s drive of our office or a hospital emergency room, and do not fly.
• After anesthesia: for 24 hours, do not drive, drink alcohol, use machinery or sign important papers. After general anesthesia, we recommend having an adult stay with you the first night.

What these limits mean: heavy lifting means anything over about 10 pounds (a gallon of milk weighs about 8), such as a full laundry basket, a case of water or a suitcase. Strenuous activity means anything that makes you breathe hard, strain or sweat: running, weight training, yard work, hard cycling or sports. Walking, light housework, desk work and showering are fine. When the limit ends, start at about half your usual effort and build up over a week; if bleeding starts, stop and rest.

When should I call?