These care sheet resources are tailored to specific ENT procedures such as tonsillectomy, grommet insertion, sinus surgery, and thyroidectomy – and provide clear, step-by-step guidance on what to expect after surgery. Topics covered include pain management, wound care, dietary advice, activity restrictions, and follow-up instructions.
Designed to ensure a smooth recovery, these care sheets help patients and families feel well-informed and supported as they heal from procedures performed by Dr Hall and his team. The PDFs are conveniently organised and printable, serving as a helpful reference alongside the personalised advice given during clinic visits.
The operation where your adenoids are removed is called adenoidectomy. The adenoids are like the tonsils but lie above the soft palate and behind the nose. You can’t see the adenoids by simply looking in your mouth. As we grow older the adenoids usually shrink away to nothing, although sometimes the adenoids persist.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A biopsy is simply taking a small piece of tissue. The piece of tissue is sent to the pathology laboratory and the pathologist determines the diagnosis.
The nasopharynx is part of the throat. It is out of sight, behind the nose and above the palate.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to feel better as quickly as possible.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
When we are developing inside our mothers, (in utero), some developing tissue may be caught in the wrong place and a branchial cyst may be formed. Branchial cysts frequently become infected and swollen. It is recommended that a branchial cyst is removed. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover, but each person recovers at a different pace.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A core needle biopsy is a procedure where a small core of tissue is removed from an area of interest with a specially designed needle. The needle takes a piece of tissue about 1-2cm long and about 1mm in diameter.
The sample is sent to the pathology laboratory and the pathologist determines the diagnosis.
A core needle biopsy may be performed on thyroid nodules, parotid nodules, lymph nodes or other lumps.
Dr Hall performs all his core needle biopsies under ultrasound guidance. He uses an ultrasound machine to
ensure the needle goes into the area of interest.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A thyroid cyst is a lump in the thyroid that contains fluid. A thyroid lump is also called a thyroid nodule.
Similarly, a parotid cyst is a lump in the parotid salivary gland that contains fluid. These cysts can be uncomfortable. They may also be unsightly.
Dr Hall’s approach to thyroid cysts and parotid cysts is similar. He drains the fluid within the cyst under ultrasound guidance and local anaesthetic in the clinic. This fluid is then sent to the pathology laboratory for analysis.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Expansion palatoplasty is the name of the operation when the tonsils are removed, the throat is widened, and the uvula is shortened.
Expansion palatoplasty is usually combined with coblation tongue channelling. Coblation uses radio frequency to reduce the size of the tongue. It is done with a small probe and is directed to the back of the tongue.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person
recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to feel better as quickly as possible.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
FNA stands for fine needle aspiration. A small sample of cells are taken with a needle. The cells are sent to the pathology laboratory and the pathologist determines the diagnosis. FNA is sometimes called FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) or FNAB (fine needle aspiration biopsy). FNA may be performed on thyroid nodules, parotid nodules, lymph nodes or other lumps.
Dr Hall performs all his FNA’s under ultrasound guidance. He uses an ultrasound machine to ensure the needle goes into the area of interest.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) opens and cleans out your sinuses. You will have a “nasal drip pad” under your nostrils to collect any blood that may drip from your nose. Your nurse will show you how to change the pad as needed. You may have dissolvable packing material inside your nose to reduce bleeding and swelling.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to feel better as quickly as possible.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Grommets are little plastic tubes that sit in the ear drum. Grommets are also called ventilation tubes. The ear drum is also called the tympanic membrane. Grommets work by allowing air to enter the middle ear. In children they are put in under general anaesthesia (they are fast asleep). In adults they are usually put in under local anaesthesia.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to feel better as quickly as possible.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A biopsy is simply taking a small piece of tissue. The piece of tissue is sent to the pathology laboratory and the pathologist determines the diagnosis.
The three most common sites in the mouth that Dr Hall biopsies are the tongue, the inside of the check and the tonsil. Other areas also sometimes require a biopsy.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to feel better as quickly as possible.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A lymph node biopsy is the name given to the operation where one or more lymph nodes are removed to establish the diagnosis (cause of the enlarged lymph node). It is not necessary to remove all the lymph nodes to make the diagnosis.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover after removal of a lymph node and what to expect. Each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to feel better as quickly as possible.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Microlaryngoscopy is the name of the procedure where the surgeon looks at your larynx with a microscope. The larynx is the voice box and contains the vocal cords. The procedure is done under general anaesthesia so you will be fast asleep. Often the procedure is combined with either a biopsy or removal of a lump. A biopsy is simply taking a small sample of a lump or area of interest.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Nasal cautery is a simple easy painless procedure done in the clinic to control a nose bleed. Cautery seals the blood vessel where the bleeding has been coming from.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A neck dissection is an operation where groups of lymph nodes are removed from the neck. The neck is divided into six levels. Most neck dissections include some but not all of levels 1-5 and are called selective neck dissections. A central neck dissection is when nodes from level 6 are removed. In a radical neck dissection, nodes from levels 1-5 are removed.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
The parotid gland makes saliva and lies in front of and below the ear. Parotidectomy is the name of the operation when part or all of the parotid gland is removed. Parotidectomy is performed to treat tumours of the parotid gland or recurrent infections of the parotid gland.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Partial glossectomy is the name of the operation when part of the tongue is removed and is performed when there is cancer of the tongue. The amount of tongue removed depends on the size of the cancer. The cancer is removed with a 1 cm margin to ensure that all the cancer is removed.
Usually, a partial glossectomy is combined with a neck dissection. A neck dissection is an operation where groups of lymph nodes are removed from the neck. (There is a separate care sheet for neck dissection).
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Pharyngoscopy and biopsy is the name of the operation where the surgeon looks at your throat and takes a biopsy. A biopsy is simply taking a small sample of a lump or area of interest.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A thyroid nodule is a lump in the thyroid. A thyroid nodule may cause a pressure feeling or discomfort in the lower neck. It may also be unsightly. A thyroid nodule may be in either the left or right half of the thyroid gland. Some thyroid nodules are in the isthmus. The isthmus is that part of the thyroid that joins the left and right half. Traditionally symptomatic thyroid nodules were treated with removing half of the thyroid gland through an incision in the neck. Nowadays some thyroid nodules can be treated with radiofrequency ablation.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Septoplasty and turbinoplasty increase the size of the nasal airways to help you breathe better. Septoplasty is the name of the operation to straighten the partition (septum) between the two nostrils. Turbinoplasty is the name of the operation where the inferior turbinate (shelf of bone) is reduced in size.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Rhinoplasty is surgery to reshape your nose. It can be done to improve your appearance or help you breathe better. Septoplasty is surgery to straighten the
inside of the nose to keep you breathing. A septorhinoplasty is a combination of rhinoplasty and septoplasty.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Sialoendoscopy is a procedure where a tiny telescope is passed up the duct of a salivary gland. The telescope has a small working channel through which various instruments can be passed.
There are six main salivary glands, three on each side. The parotid gland lies in front of the ear, the submandibular gland lies under the lower jaw, and the sublingual gland lies under the tongue.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A biopsy is simply taking a small piece of tissue. The piece of tissue is sent to the pathology laboratory and the pathologist determines the diagnosis.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Skin cancers are treated by excising the skin cancer with a margin of healthy tissue to help ensure all the cancer is removed. The incision is closed with sutures and a simple dressing is placed over the wound. The piece of skin removed is sent to the pathology laboratory.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
The submandibular gland makes saliva and lies under the jaw. The submandibular gland is excised if there is a tumour in the gland or if there are recurrent infections and swelling of the gland.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) involves using a surgical robot to remove tissue from the throat.
TORS is often combined with a neck dissection. There is a separate care sheet on neck dissection.
TORS can also be used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) that has not responded to other treatments.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
A thyroglossal duct cyst lies in the midline under the chin. It is a remnant of the thyroid gland. When we are still inside our mother, the thyroid starts developing in the back of the tongue and descends into the lower neck. Sometimes a remnant can be left behind in the midline of the neck under the chin. This remnant is called a thyroglossal duct cyst and can become infected and swollen. If this happens it is best to remove the remnant along with the middle portion of the hyoid bone.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
The thyroid gland produces a hormone (thyroxine) that is important for metabolism and growth. Thyroidectomy is the name of the operation when either all (total thyroidectomy) or half (hemithyroidectomy) of the thyroid gland is removed. Thyroidectomy is performed to treat thyroid cancer, noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goitre) and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). It may also be recommended for suspicious thyroid nodules that cannot be determined as cancerous or noncancerous after a needle biopsy.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.
Tonsillectomy is the name of the operation when the tonsils are removed, while adenotonsillectomy refers to removal of both the tonsils and the adenoids. The tonsils lie on either side of the throat.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to achieve a good result.
Download our full post-op care sheet below for more details.