Discharge Care After Day Surgery for Children¹

●  Once awake and alert, your child can begin a light diet (for example, sandwiches, pasta, soup or jelly).

●   Return to the usual diet when your child feels well enough.

●   Children from 1-10 years old may benefit from an Oral Nutritional Supplement like PediaSure* post-surgery; research suggests that a high proportion of children do not meet their nutritional and protein requirements.¹

●      It’s common for a child to feel slightly nauseous or vomit once or twice after day surgery - this is typically not a cause for alarm.

●      If your child vomits or feels sick: stop meals for about one hour, then offer a light diet if tolerated.

●     If vomiting continues or your child cannot keep fluids/food down, contact the numbers provided by the hospital or attend the nearest emergency department.

●      If a dressing is applied, follow the surgeon or hospital’s specific instructions for wound and dressing care.

●      If stitches (sutures) are dissolvable: they do not need removing.

●      Keep an eye on the wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge) and seek advice if you’re unsure.

●      Because of the effects of anaesthesia, your child should rest at home under adult supervision for about two days.

●      For the first 4-6 hours after the anaesthetic, your child may be unsteady on their feet - an adult should assist with walking, even for short trips (e.g., to the toilet).

●      Your child’s surgeon or care team will advise when they may return to childcare, kindergarten or school.

●      Avoid contact sports, bike riding or physically demanding play for one to two weeks, unless your surgeon advises otherwise.

●      Use age-appropriate doses of paracetamol every 4-6 hours for one to two days if needed (always follow the packaging instructions and check with a pharmacist or doctor if unsure).

●      Do not give any medicine that contains paracetamol more than four times in 24 hours.

●     If pain is more severe or not controlled by paracetamol, contact the hospital or your child’s general practitioner (GP).

●      A follow-up appointment will typically be sent to you in the week following your child’s operation.

●      If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s recovery at home, call your child’s surgeon or the hospital using the contact details provided.

*PediaSure is a Food for Special Medical Purposes. Use only under medical supervision.

If you have any concerns or an emergency arises, call the hospital immediately.

References

1: The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (2020) Paediatric surgery – discharge care after day surgery. Kids Health Info. Available at: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/day_surgery_general_surgery_discharge_care/

2: Winderlich, J., Little, B., Oberender, F., Bollard, T., Farrell, T., Jenkins, S., Landorf, E., McCall, A., Menzies, J., O’Brien, K., Rowe, C., Sim, K., van der Wilk, M., Woodgate, J., Paul, E., Udy, A. A. & Ridley, E. J. (2025) ‘Nutrition support in children discharged from the paediatric intensive care unit: a bi-national prospective cohort study (ePICUre)’, Journal of Paediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39440623/, Access date: 3/10/26.