POST OP INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING EAR SURGERY

DIET:

- In the immediate post-operative period, you may experience some vertigo (dizziness), nausea or vomiting.  It is therefore preferable to stick to a liquid diet or a light bland meal.  A regular diet may be resumed the day after surgery.  It is not unusual to experience some earache on mastication and possibly, some difficulty in fully opening the mouth. 

WOUND CARE:

- The operated ear is often packed.  It will feel clogged and you may hear crackling sounds.   You may have a stitch or two on the earlobe or the tragus (the little cartilage knob in front of the ear canal). You will have a cotton ball in the ear, change it when it gets soaked and replace it with a clean cotton ball. It is not necessary to use a band aid or adhesive tape to hold the cotton ball.   Just use a little antibiotic ointment to make the cotton ball stick.

- In some instances an incision is made behind the ear.  In this case you may have a dressing wrapped around the head or sutured behind the ear, please keep that dressing dry and avoid water at any cost.  In general, such a dressing is removed a couple of days after the surgery.

- Do not allow any water to enter the operated ear.  Protect the ear during showering or washing the hair with a large cotton ball coated with Vaseline.  It is a good idea to have someone help you with washing the scalp to avoid water.  When finished washing, remove the coated cotton, wipe the ear with a soft paper tissue and place a clean, dry cotton ball.  A little antibiotic ointment may help the cotton ball stick and stay in place.  A shower cap provides extra protection.

- Thick, dark or bloody ear drainage is expected during the first week after surgery. You may clean the crusting from the outer part of the ear with peroxide and Q-tips. Replace the cotton ball in the ear with a clean, dry piece when the current one is soiled. Occasionally, you may see brown or dark red pieces of packing (Gelfoam) extruding from the ear canal.  Do not attempt to replace them or to remove the remaining pieces that are still in the ear canal.

- Do not blow your nose for at least two weeks from the day of surgery. Blowing can build excessive pressure in the operated ear and displace the eardrum.

- If you have to sneeze or cough, please do it with your mouth wide open to avoid pressure build up in your ear.

- When sleeping, try to sleep on the unoperated ear.

MEDICATIONS:

- Antibiotics may be prescribed; please take them as directed until they are all gone. You may take pain medication as needed.  Pain medications cause drowsiness, somnolence, nausea and constipation.  Please refrain from driving, operating machinery or making important decisions when taking painkillers.

- Avoid using aspirin, Aleve, Motrin or other over the counter medications that increase the risk for bleeding.  Do not resume such medications for a minimum of 2 weeks after surgery.  Tylenol does not interfere with blood clotting and is ok to use.

WHAT TO EXPECT FOLLOWING EAR SURGERY.  THERE ARE SYMPTOMS WHICH MAY FOLLOW ANY EAR OPERATION.

- Taste Disturbance and Mouth Dryness: Taste disturbance and mouth dryness are not uncommon for a few weeks following surgery. In some patients this disturbance is prolonged.

- Tinnitus: Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sound in the ear), frequently present before surgery, is almost always present temporarily after surgery. It may persist for one to two months and then decrease in proportion to the hearing improvement. If the hearing does not improve, the tinnitus may persist.

- Numbness of Ear: Temporary loss of skin sensation in and about the ear is common following surgery. The numbness may involve the entire outer ear and may last for six months or more.

- Jaw Symptoms: The jaw joint is in intimate contact with the ear canal. Some soreness or stiffness in jaw movement is very common after ear surgery. It usually subsides within one to two months.

- Drainage Behind the Ear: At times, the surgeon may insert a drain tube behind the ear. The necessity for this tube is usually not apparent before surgery. Should a drain tube be necessary, it will protrude through the skin behind the ear about 1/4 inch and may be left in place for a week or more.

- Hearing:  If you have had surgery to improve your hearing, do not be concerned if your hearing does not improve during the first six to eight weeks. The surgery must have time to heal before you can expect your hearing to improve. Your doctor will check your progress and tell you what to expect.

- You may notice a full sensation with popping sounds in your ear while it heals. Do not let this alarm you.  It will stop.

WHAT ARE SOME REASONS YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AFTER SURGERY?

If you experience any of the following, please contact our service immediately.  If it is after regular business hours, please contact the ENT on call resident through the main clinic operator:

- If you have undergone a neurotologic procedure such as a nerve section, shunt, or removal of a tumor and develop clear fluid flow from the ear, nose, or suture line, notify your doctor immediately.

- Excessive ringing in the ear, severe attacks of dizziness or vertigo or intractable vomiting.

- Temperature above 101 F/ 38 C.

- New onset facial paralysis (Inability to close the eye and crooked smile like in Bell's Palsy) that was not discussed postoperatively.