Laryngeal Surgeries – Post-operative Instructions

  • Patients who have received general anesthesia may experience some nausea and occasionally, vomiting in the immediate post-operative period. It is therefore preferable to stick to a light soft bland meal on the first day after surgery. A regular diet/ diabetic diet/ diet recommended by the dietician may be resumed the day following the surgery.
  • Avoid alcohol and spicy foods, do not smoke or allow any exposure to tobacco smoke. Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration is extremely harmful the vocal cords.
  • Please observe STRICT VOICE REST for upto a week after surgery. The vocal cords vibrate when you speak, which may result in further trauma to any raw surface. If you must speak, please do so in a normal tone of voice. Do not whisper or shout. Whispering results in more trauma to the vocal cords than normal speech.
  • Avoid excessive coughing or throat clearing, as these may damage the vocal cords during the healing process.

Please clarify with your doctor in case of any doubts.