Postoperative Instructions for Excision of Mucocele:

1. Allow local anesthetic to wear off completely before eating or drinking.

2. An ice pack can be applied as needed to the incisional area to reduce pain and swelling the first 24 hours after surgery. Wrap ice in a washcloth and apply for 15 to 20 minutes, alternating on and off.

3. Avoid hard or crusty foods and very hot spicy, acidic or salty foods/liquids. These will cause irritation and pain in incisional area.

4. Use extra strength Tylenol, or medication prescribed by your physician, as needed for pain. You will especially want to use pain medication before sleep the first day or two.

5. Stitches help the incision heal more quickly, however, stitches occasionally fall out; the incision will close on its own even without stitches.

6. Incisions on the inside of the mouth form a white gooey scab. This is part of the normal healing process and is not a sign of infection.

7. Minor oozing from the incision can occur the first 24 hours after surgery and will gradually decrease on its own. If heavy bleeding occurs from the incision, apply firm pressure for a full 10 minutes. If bleeding continues after 10 minutes, call your doctor’s office at (408) 972-6580 or the advice nurse at (408) 362-4791, if after hours.