What Happens After the Procedure?
After surgery, your child will have a breathing tube (also called intubation tube) in place. While the breathing tube is in place, your child will stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). The ICU doctors will closely monitor your child’s total care, while the ENT doctors will closely monitor the airway. While in the ICU, medications may be given to help prevent your child from pulling out the breathing tube. These medications make your child sleepy and comfortable.
The ENT doctor will decide when to remove the breathing tube. Once the breathing tube is removed, your child’s breathing is closely watched. When the sleepy medications are stopped, some children experience jitteriness or slight unsteadiness (also called withdrawal) for a short period of time. This is normal and the staff will watch your child closely for any of these symptoms. The ENT doctor will decide when the next microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy are needed, usually before discharge.
Once breathing is stable, your child will be transferred to the airway unit for monitoring. Your child will need to be breathing on their own, tolerate feedings and be well healed before they can leave the hospital.
