Craniosynostosis Discharge Instructions

Discharge: Your child can go home when he or she:

  • Is eating a regular diet (age appropriate).
  • Has completed a 24 hour course of IV antibiotics since surgery.
  • Has pain controlled with only Tylenol and/or Motrin.
  • Has had no fever in the past 24 hours and is not anemic.

Pain medication:

  • You may give Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen) on an as-needed basis, or you may give them on a schedule

What to feed:

  • Regular age appropriate diet, no restrictions.
  • Encourage juices if bowel movements seem difficult for your child.

Activity:

  • Quiet play.
  • Bumper pads on crib rails for infants and toddlers.
  • Place a pillow or wedge under the crib mattress to lift up the head of the bed. Do this for the first 2 weeks after surgery to help any swelling go away faster.

Wound care:

  • If your child was discharged from the hospital with a bandage/dressing on his/her head, you may remove it two days after surgery.
  • After the dressing has been removed, clean the incision twice daily with 1/2 strength hydrogen peroxide and apply antibiotic ointment (bacitracin or other, can be found at local drug store).
  • You may wash the areas around the incisions with a washcloth and gentle shampoo, but avoid washing directly over the incisions until told to do so by your doctor(s).

When should I call the doctor?

  • Fever higher than 101.5 tympanic/oral (or 100.5 axillary).
  • Incision becomes reddened, swollen, warm to the touch, or more painful.
  • Pus or any other drainage from the incision.
  • Vomiting.
  • Increased irritability (fussiness).
  • Increased sleepiness.
  • Seizure.

Follow-up with the doctors:

  • Follow up with the doctor 1 week after surgery. Call the clinic at 832-325-7234 to set the appointment time.
  • Your child will need a molding helmet to continue correction of your child’s head shape. This appointment can be scheduled once you have had your first post op visit or no later than 2 weeks
    after the surgery date.