Incision care

• Check your child’s incisions daily for redness, swelling, discharge, pain, or separation of the skin.

• Follow the surgeon's directions on when your child can take a bath or shower.

• Wash the incisions gently. Use mild soap and warm water. Pat them dry using a clean towel.

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after cleaning the wound.

• If an antibiotic ointment is prescribed, apply it to the wound as instructed.

• Do not apply body lotion, talcum powder, or bathing products directly onto the wound until your health care provider says it is safe to do so.

• If tape strips are over the wound, don't pull them off. Let them come off on their own. You may trim any edges that have peeled off.

• If skin glue was used, do not try to wash it off. Don't pick or scratch the scab.

Activity

• Ask the surgeon when it will be safe for your child to lift things or get back to normal activities.

• Remember, your child will be a little unsteady on their feet for a few days after getting home from the hospital.

• Don’t allow your child to lift anything heavier than 3 pounds. This is to prevent straining the incisions.

• Make sure that your child does not climb stairs more than 1 or 2 times a day until your health care provider says it is safe to do so.

• Give your child a break from chores. Your child shouldn’t push a vacuum or mow the lawn until the provider says it’s OK to do so.

• Give your child pain relievers as directed. Don't give aspirin and ibuprofen.

• If your child is taking other medicines that include acetaminophen or ibuprofen, let your child's provider know.

• If your child gets constipated, talk with your child's provider. Pain medicines can cause constipation. Adding fiber to your child's diet, making sure they drink plenty of fluids, and giving them a stool softener can often help.

• Instruct your child to stay away from contact sports like football until your child's provider says it is safe to do so.

Taking precautions about infections

• Check your child’s temperature every day for 1 week after the surgery.

• Make sure your child takes all the antibiotics prescribed after surgery, even if they feel better. Your child needs the full dose of antibiotics to keep from getting an infection.

• Get medical care for your child even for mild illnesses. This includes sinus problems or colds, fever, sore throat, headache, belly pain, diarrhea, or an injury that breaks the skin. Remember, your child is more likely to get an infection without a spleen.

• Make sure your child is up-to-date on all vaccines. Talk with your child’s health care provider about any vaccines your child may need.

• Be sure to tell all your child's health care providers that your child does not have a spleen.

• Think about getting a medical ID (identification) bracelet for your child. It should say that your child does not have a spleen.

Follow-up

Follow up with your child's health care provider as advised.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your child's health care provider right away if your child has any of the following:

• Fever of 101°F (39°C) or higher, or as directed by your child's health care provider (see information below).

• Shaking chills

• Any abnormal bleeding or increased abdominal swelling

• Pain in or around the incision site

• Warmth, swelling, pus, or redness at or around the incision site

• Incision site that opens up or wound edges that pull apart

• Belly pain that gets worse or that is not relieved by medicine

• Unable to eat or drink liquids

• Persistent nausea or vomiting

• Persistent cough or shortness of breath.

Call 911

Call 911 if your child has:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

Fever in children after splenectomy

Children without a spleen are more likely to get an infection. Follow the health care provider's specific directions.

Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don't use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:

• Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.

• Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.

• Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.

Use a rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it's not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, ask the health care provider what type to use instead. When you talk with any health care provider about your child's fever, tell them which type you used.

Below is when to call the health care provider if your child has a fever. Your child’s health care provider may give you different numbers. Follow their instructions.

When to call a health care provider about your child’s fever

For a baby under 3 months old:

• First, ask your child’s health care provider how you should take the temperature.

• Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

• Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher

• A fever of ___________as advised by the provider

For a child age 3 months or older:

• Temperature by any method of 101° or higher

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider