After a Neck Mass Removal: How to Care for Your Child

Your child is ready to go home after surgery to remove a neck mass. Most children recover quickly and get back to normal activities after a short period of rest.

Your child had a neck mass removed. Most neck masses in children are congenital (meaning the child was born with it). They also can develop later and be caused by an infection or inflammation. Surgeons may remove a neck mass if it is prone to infection or makes breathing or swallowing difficult, or to keep it from growing too big and causing problems.

During the surgery, the surgeon removed the neck mass and also might have removed some nearby tissue. Often this tissue is sent to the lab for tests. Your health care provider will let you know when the results are complete, usually in a few days to a week. The surgeon also may have inserted a temporary "drain," a special type of tube that helps carry extra fluid out of the body so it doesn't build up and cause swelling in the neck. Removing the drain is simple and will be done in a follow-up visit.

Anesthesia was used to prevent pain and keep your child asleep during the procedure. After the surgery, the care team watched your child to make sure that everything was OK. Your child is now ready to go home. Nausea and vomiting are common for a few hours after anesthesia.

• Give your child any prescribed medicines on schedule and only when your child is awake and not vomiting.

• Make sure your child is fully awake before offering food or drink. Begin with clear liquids (breastfed infants can be allowed to nurse). Once your child can hold that down, move on to formula or cow's milk. If your child eats solid foods, next offer some bland choices such as toast, crackers, and cereal.

• Keep the incision as clean and dry as possible. Your child may shower, but should not soak the incision by taking a bath or swimming.

• If your child has a drain in place, follow the instructions on caring for it and do not try to move it.

• Apply antibiotic ointment to the incision twice a day if instructed.

• Do not allow activities that require strength and coordination such as driving, swimming, biking, or climbing stairs alone for 24 hours.

• Follow your health care provider's instructions for when your child can return to school, childcare, or other activities.

• Schedule a follow-up appointment to see the surgeon 1–2 weeks after the surgery.

Your child:

• Has swelling, redness, or discharge around the incision.

• Has severe pain.

• Has a fever higher than 101°F (38.3°C).

• Throws up more than 4 hours after leaving the hospital.

• Refuses to eat or drink.

• Has more than a few drops of blood around the incision.

Your child:

• Is short of breath or has chest pain.

• Has noisy breathing or trouble swallowing or speaking.

• Faints.

In rare cases, neck masses can return after they have been removed. Make sure your child's regular health care provider knows about the surgery so he or she can look for any changes during checkups.