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DownloadYour key worker is a qualified endocrine nurse specialist who works closely with the ward staff and all the consultants to offer support, information and advice to you and your carers during your stay in the ward and when you are discharged.
Sara Canagon is based at Princess Royal Hospital, 01444 441881 extension 65660.
Sam Voss is based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital 01273 696955 extension 64379
Email address for all the above Nurses is uhsussex.ens@nhs.net
My key worker is:___________________________________________________________________
Hydrocortisone tablets are prescribed for all patients after pituitary surgery.
Usually after pituitary surgery we prescribe 15mg hydrocortisone to be taken first thing in the morning, and 5mg to be taken mid-afternoon, no later than 5pm. These doses of hydrocortisone can be taken on an empty stomach or with food.
For more information about hydrocortisone treatment and ‘sick day rules’ (what to do if you are ill) please read the patient information leaflet Long-term steroid hormone replacement therapy.
Your endocrine nurse specialist can also give you a copy.
To assess whether or not you will need to continue hydrocortisone treatment long-term you have been given or sent a form to have your blood taken.
If you need further information about hydrocortisone treatment, contact your key worker.
The surgeons recommend that you wait for three months after pituitary surgery before you blow your nose or sneeze. If you have to sneeze, do so through an open mouth. Though this sounds odd, most patients manage it! This is to reduce the risk of infections going up through the surgical site.
You may get a headache after this type of operation. If your headache is severe or persistent or you are worried, please ring the Neurosurgical Ward Level 8A W at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, 01273 696955 Extension 4357 for advice.
If you have a headache associated with a fever (high temperature), a stiff neck, or a feeling that bright light bothers you, you should seek immediate medical advice from your nearest Accident and Emergency department, as this could be meningitis (an infection of the membrane lining the brain).
Feeling thirsty and passing lots of urine
If you start to pass a lot of urine (for example, if you pass the equivalent of a large cupful every hour for three hours) and/or if you feel very thirsty, contact your key worker. You should drink water if you are feeling thirsty.
Sometimes pituitary surgery affects your ability to retain water (diabetes insipidus). If this occurs, it usually settles down after a few days. However it may last longer and need hormone treatment.
Leaking clear fluid from your nose or throat
If you experience a clear fluid, like salt-water, dripping down the back of your throat or through your nose, seek immediate medical advice from your nearest Accident and Emergency department. This could be a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord) which would need treatment.
Loss of vision
If your vision deteriorates, seek immediate medical advice from your nearest Accident and Emergency department, telling them that you recently had pituitary surgery.
Taste or smell
You may notice that your sense of taste or smell has been affected by the surgery. Although this is quite common immediately after the operation, it is usually a temporary problem which recovers with time.
Taste or smell
You may notice that your sense of taste or smell has been affected by the surgery. Although this is quite common immediately after the operation, it is usually a temporary problem which recovers with time.
We usually recommend 4-6 weeks off work after pituitary surgery, but this will depend on your type of work and your recovery from the operation. You may need to discuss this with your employer, who could arrange for an occupational health specialist to help with this decision. If you need a Certificate of Sickness for your employer these can be obtained from the ward before your discharge or your GP when you get home.
Again this will depend on the type of operation you had and your rate of recovery. You can ask when you attend your follow-up appointment at the Combined Pituitary Clinic at Hurstwood Park.
Always inform your insurance company about any change in your health as your travel insurance will not be valid if you have not declared all of your medical history.
There is no particular time restriction to sexual activity; this will depend on how you and your partner feel after your operation. Sometimes the regulation of sex hormone production (oestrogen in women and testosterone in men) is affected by pituitary surgery and levels may be low. This will be checked and hormone replacement therapy advised if necessary.
You can drink alcohol after your operation, but we recommend no more than one or two units per day (one unit is a small glass of wine, a single measure of spirits or half a pint of beer).
After surgery, your surgeon may recommend nasal douching to help clear any nasal crusting and debris if appropriate. Patients have reported they feel their nasal passages open up quicker and sometimes a more rapid recovery in the sense of smell. Your key worker will inform you of your surgeon’s plan. If recommended, this would initially be four times a day and as your nose clears up you may reduce the frequency to twice a day. We recommend at least 6-8 weeks of douching. There are many propriety products in the market such as NeilMed Rinse® ( you would need to make up the solution) or Sterimar® (a ready to use spray). Alternatively you can make up a solution at home (please ask your key worker for a leaflet).
One of the benefits of endoscopic surgery is that stitches are usually not required in or around the nose. In some cases, a repair is required and performed with fat and or facia from the thigh or stomach, you will have stitches or skin clips placed in these areas and these can be removed after 7-10 days by a nurse at your local GP practice.
You will be reviewed in the Combined Pituitary Clinic at Hurstwood Park 6 to 8 weeks after your operation, where you will see the neurosurgeon, an endocrinologist and an endocrine nurse specialist.
You will have a repeat pituitary MRI scan 3 months after your operation, and you may also have assessments of your vision (visual field tests).
Most pituitary patients require life-long follow-up to continue to check on their hormone status, scan appearances and vision. With time, these appointments and tests become much less frequent.
Endocrine Specialist Nurses
uhsussex.ens@nhs.net
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Endocrine specialist nurse
01273 696955 extension 64379
Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath
Endocrine specialist nurse
01444 441881 extension 65660
If you have any urgent or emergency questions then your GP can advise you or they will contact the hospital on your behalf.
Patient self-help groups and further information: The Pituitary Foundation
This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.
The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.
Publication Date: July 2021
Review Date: April 2024