General Anaesthesia

ORAL SURGERY DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
for patients undergoing general anaesthesia (GA)

  • You have some stitches in your mouth following surgery. They dissolve and usually fallout any time from 2 days to 2 weeks following surgery. Some of the stitches may fall out quickly, but this has no adverse effect on healing.

  • A local anaesthetic may have been used in addition to the general anaesthetic in order to reduce the pain after surgery. This is usually long acting and may take 6-12 hours to wear off. Do not eat or take hot drinks until the local anaesthetic has worn off. When the effect of the local anaesthetic has worn off you may eat or drink whatever is comfortable to manage, but do not rinse your mouth on the day of operation.

  • The day after start frequent mouthwashes. The best mouthwash is Chlorhexidine (Corsodyl) diluted half strength with warm water used 3 times a day for 1 week. An alternative is warm salty water (1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water) up to four times a day.

  • The evening of surgery, you can start to use your toothbrush. You can start gentle brushing with a soft nylon multi-tuft toothbrush. It is important to clean your teeth close to the site of surgery. For the first week after surgery, you should toothbrush after every meal.


  • You may have been given a prescription for antibiotics. Take them regularly and complete the course. If there are any adverse effects please contact the hospital.  


  • It is normal to have some pain for up to 7 days after surgery. Suitable painkillers are Ibuprofen (Nurofen) 400mgs 3 times a day. These are usually the most effective painkillers and work best when taken regularly with food. If they upset your stomach or cause indigestion, you should stop taking them. If the pain is not controlled with Ibuprofen, you can take Paracetamol 500mgs x 2 up to 4 times a day, AS WELL as Ibuprofen.

  • If you have had a general anaesthetic, the anaesthetic drugs remain in your body for at least 24 hours so you should:-



  • Spend the next 24 hours resting quietly at home.                                                  
  • Not drive a car or operate machinery.                                                                         
  • Have a responsible adult staying with you overnight with access to a telephone.



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