DS Grommet surgery

[2757days]

DS who's three has just had grommet surgery and it's been a fairly overwhelming day. Anyway apparently he woke up with a tube still in his throat and they had to take it out quite quickly and so that explaind his particularly sore throat. We were only made aware of this later in the day and at the time I just accepted it, but the more I think about it it's not right. He was really upset when I went through to the post op area to be with him, and now I think about him waking up without me and in such a harsh way with a cannula in his hand I don't think that's OK. They kinda just brushed it off though.
Am I right to be so angry right now?

I'm sorry you have had to go through this.

I'm not sure about the tube in the throat, but both of my daughters had operations aged 2.5yrs old (one for grommets and an adenoidectomy/ the other to stitch her lip after an accident) and they were both incredibly upset upon waking after the op. Nothing had gone wrong but waking after going through the op in a strange place without a parent present is really quite traumatic.

It's a big day for all of you.

What would you like to achieve? (I mean this kindly rather than being snide)

That's interesting. He's bounced back incredibly well so he's definitely OK, I just feel like maybe it shouldn't have happened and maybe there was fault there. Or it might not have made much of a difference to his upset. I'm just thinking over the day and getting upset which is probably normal.
I guess I just wanted to put my mind at rest and feel like he was given the best care possible.

My DS has had 5 procedures under general anaesthetic. Every single time he was woke up in utter distress (sometimes violent) regardless of the situation.

I'm not sure what you are trying to find fault with?

My son has had numerous surgeries and unfortunately children can react very oddly to anesthesia and the medication used to reverse it post op, my son was trying to sit up post OHS and had to be restrained and medicated due to his unexpected reaction.
They do try to make sure parents are there for when they start to wake up but timing isn't always perfect and we mums always feel guilty about any little aspect that we can't control, so very normal to feel a but upset.
I wouldn't anyone is to blame, just one of those things.

It's my first time, and as much as I'd read up on it, it doesn't prepare you for feeling so upset and helpless. Hopefully he'll not have to go through it again any time soon, but if he does I'll know the score.

I agree. I don't think you should be cross with them either

The tube gets removed as the patient comes around, as that's when they can protect their airway. No other way to do it really.

Sorry but I don't understand why you're upset? Would you have preferred them to take it out before he could breathe or maintain his own airway?

It Has to stay in the throat until the child can cough and cry and open their eyes on demand. Otherwise he would have needed to be re intubated and he'd be in icu tonight.

He won't remember it coming out. I don't understand the issue?

Ah OK, they never really explained it.

But yeah go for it and complain, no doubt someone will get some flack for a parent not understanding basic recovery procedure, maybe someone will get a week off whilst they 'investigate' and maybe that person who explained to you will quit the nhs so they're down another person because god forbid you're doing your job and telling parents what happened and they complain

Maybe ask next time if you can be present when they extubate your child and then you can complain about the upset you've experienced seeing that.

No need for such an acerbic reply.

The nurses on ward should have explained what to expect, they frequently don't, understandable if they are busy but really not on to assume mum and dad will know the procedures and the aftermath, so it's not unexpected for op to feel unsure about what happened.

It's quite distressing to watch your child come round especially if they are upset and it's a new experience for the family.

Many people wake with a sore throat after being tubed- its very common.

I don't work in recovery, but my understanding is getting the tube out is a balance. Between the patient being conscious enough to protect their own airway and be able to cough if saliva goes down their throat- and the other side where they are SO awake they are thrashing about the bed trying to pull it out themselves.

Recovery staff do this hundreds of times every week- so are very aware of the signs and when is the right time to remove it. They certainly wouldn't be leave it in longer to distress your child, and the fact they removed it quickly is because clearly they thought he was getting agitated. I thought it was usually removed fairly quickly for everyone anyways?

I had a grommet and adenoids removed age 4. I still recall vividly that I wish more things had been explained to me- even at that age. I didn't realise that the grommet would grow out itself. At the ENT Dr's follow up, he got out a pair of long, cold plier things, wiggled it in my ear and finally pulled the grommet out. I wrongly thought I'd need another operation to remove it. In my case, to no longer have monthly ear infections, rounds of antibiotics and the pain was worth it! Wishing your DS the best.