These Surgeries Can Also Be Performed During Summer Months

Most of our patients ask questions like: "If I have surgery in the summer, will I experience complications?" or "Are surgeries more dangerous in summer months?" Dr. Murat Sertan Şahin, Specialist in Otolaryngology at Istanbul Okan University Hospital, provided clarity on this topic and shared important information. As summer arrives, temperatures are becoming increasingly felt. The reduced workload for the working population during summer months, vacation periods coinciding with these three months, and students being on holiday make this an ideal period for performing non-urgent, planned surgery.

ENT Surgery Offers Advantages in Summer

As a surgeon performing almost all procedures in the otolaryngology field, I can confidently say that with few exceptions, there is no seasonal distinction in the application of nearly all ENT surgeries. For example, let us consider one of the most important patient groups in ENT—children with adenoid and tonsil problems. We recommend that these children consume as much ice cream, cold water, and cold buttermilk as they wish after surgery. Summer surgery prevents these patients from falling behind in school, does not disrupt the work life of employed parents, and facilitates compliance with the cold diet we recommend post-operatively.

Saline Solution to Prevent Crusting Inside the Nose

Another important procedure we perform is "septorhinoplasty" for nasal obstruction and snoring. Contrary to common misconception, summer surgery does not increase the risk of nosebleeds. Additionally, the practice we recommend to our patients after removing post-operative tampons—rinsing the nose with saline solution to prevent crusting—can be accomplished naturally through a possible summer vacation without requiring medication.

Take These Surgeries Seriously

Surgeries for ear problems, adenoid removal, sinusitis, masses in the head and neck region, and mole removal also show no seasonal distinction and carry similar risks regardless of the season or weather conditions. I need not mention that cancer cases must be operated on as soon as possible after diagnosis, regardless of season.

Sun Protection After Nasal Surgery

It is worth noting that the only exceptional case we prefer to perform less often in summer among ENT surgeries is cosmetic rhinoplasty. Of course, these are not avoided entirely. We simply prefer periods when sun exposure is less intense because after cosmetic nasal surgery we do not want patients to wear sunglasses for an extended period, and in some patients, sun exposure can cause freckling on the nose. However, if the patient carefully uses protective sunscreen and takes care not to spend time in direct sunlight, these surgeries can also be performed during summer. As a final point, I want to remind our patients emphatically: do not fear having surgery in summer. Rather than undergoing surgery during a harsh winter with challenging weather conditions, staying away from work, school, and social life, it would be more sensible to have the procedure during summer months when life conditions are calmer and more stable.