In the recovery room, direct after surgery voice use is not allowed. Postoperative bedside assessment of breathing and swallowing is recommended. Extensive voice assessment is not advisable (and not necessary) at this point. Some colleagues allow very soft, unstrained whispering. Later on, transoral or transnasal laryngoscopy is advisable to rule out complications (e.g., compromised airway, swelling, hematoma, torn sutures, etc.) and to reassure the patient that surgical results are satisfactory. In case of an indication for early revision surgery (e.g., ruptured suture after coughing), early identification of an endolaryngeal problem (or others) may be helpful. If a postoperative ambulatory setting is chosen, an accompanying person is needed to aid the patient for twenty-four hours (in some countries mandatory after surgery in general anesthesia). Of course, all general conditions that are usually important when a patient is discharged must be observed as well. Postoperative administration of medication such as antibiotics, gastric acid blockers, cough suppressants, cortisone, or the like should be discussed with the physician in each individual case. For other postoperative behavior recommendations: see Dos and Don’ts below.
Follow-up on the day after surgery
Laryngoscopy on the day after surgery seems not mandatory. However, many patients feel greatly reassured when endoscopy proves that no surgical complication is followed after inadvertent coughing or throat clearing.
