WILL I BE AWAKE FOR THE PROCEDURE?
If you choose to have sedation for your procedure, we use conscious sedation not a general anaesthetic. For this we use midazolam. This is usually given intravenously via a cannula which we will usually place in the back of the hand. Nitrous oxide (Gas and air/Entonox) can also be used.
WILL I HAVE PAIN DURING THE PROCEDURE?
No. A local anaesthetic (lignocaine/lidocaine) will be used to numb the area under your child’s tongue. If you opt for sedation then the Nitrous oxide (laughing gas), also has a pain relief effect.
WILL I HAVE PAIN AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
You may experience soreness at the division site and may also have muscle soreness following procedure as you will be able to move your tongue very differently. Dr. Roche will prescribe appropriate pain relief.
WILL I NEED TO BE FASTING?
Only if you are having the sedation. In which case the fasting times are as below:
- Morning surgery - late supper the night before (up until midnight)
- Afternoon surgery – light breakfast at 6am
- Sips of water are allowed up until the procedure.
WILL I NEED TO STAY LONG IN THE CLINIC?
On the days of the initial and pre-op consultations you are likely to be with us for just over an hour each time.
On the day of the procedure you will need to stay for about 2 hours following the procedure if you have sedation. Once you have recovered from the sedation and had something to eat and drink then you can go home. This visit will take about 4 hours in total. If you are having sedation then you will need someone else to drive you home.
WILL I BE ABLE TO EAT AFTERWARDS?
You may feel numb for a little while following the procedure but then they will be able to eat normally. You may find eating salty or acidic foods sore for a few days.
HOW MANY VISITS ARE INVOLVED?
There are a few appointments involved:
- An initial consultation which includes taking a history and examination
- A pre-op consultation - exercises for optimising tongue function and orientation in the recovery room.
- The procedure appointment
- A follow up check at 2 weeks
- A 4 week discharge appointment
- Extra physiotherapy may be needed which you may be able to obtain locally or is available at our clinic, just call 085 202 2244
- For some adults we may recommend palate expansion prior to release.
WHO DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME TO THE CLINIC?
You are welcome to bring another adult with you for the consultation and on the day of the procedure. Please do not bring any children with you so you can focus on the information that we are giving to you during the assessment or procedure.
DO I NEED TO DO ANY AFTERCARE?
For adults because the diamond is sutured (stitched) back together there is no woundcare to do in the first week. However, there is evidence in older children and adults that doing oromyofunctional therapy before and after division has a positive impact on outcome and this is why we advocate this.
CAN THE SURGICAL SITE BECOME INFECTED?
The possibility of infection of the surgical site is very low, a chance of about 1 in 10,000. You may see some redness around the site. If you have concerns about the appearance of the division site then please contact us.