Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Child’s Cranial Incision

Incision care

• Position your child so that they can sleep without putting pressure on the incision for 2 weeks after surgery.

• Keep your child from picking, scratching, or pulling at the incision area. Put mittens or socks on their hands if needed.

• Keep the incision clean and dry. Wash it gently with mild soap and warm water. Then gently pat the incision dry with a towel.

• Don't use oils, lotions, or creams on the incision unless you’ve been told to do so by your child’s healthcare provider.

• Don't let your child take baths, swim in pools, or sit in hot tubs. This helps prevent infection of the incision site.

• Protect the incision from the sun for at least 6 months after the surgery. Have your child wear a hat, scarf, or sunblock with a recommended SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or greater.

Other home care

• Limit your child’s activities to calm, quiet play. Don’t let your child take part in rough play or sports until their healthcare provider says it’s OK.

• Help your child with exercises for bending the neck. Have your child practice turning their head from side to side 4 times a day.

• Feed your child their regular diet as directed by the provider.

• Make sure your child avoids exertion, heat, stress, and tiredness.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment.

When to call the healthcare provider

Call the healthcare provider right away if your child has any of the following:

• Separation of the skin at the incision site

• Drainage, redness, warmth, foul odor, or swelling at the incision site

• Abnormal drowsiness or other changes in behavior

• Weakness of arms or legs

• Headache or visual disturbance

• Seizures

• Vomiting

• Fever of 100.4° F ( 38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Shaking chills

• Symptoms that might suggest meningitis, such as severe neck pain or sensitivity to light