POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
SURGERY for CHRONIC EAR DISEASE
BEFORE LEAVING THE HOSPITAL
Your initial post-operative appointment should be scheduled for 3 weeks after the date of your surgery. If you do not already have an appointment arranged for that date, call the office to make an appointment.
Check with the hospital nurse to obtain any medication your doctor may have ordered. Take this medication at home as directed on the bottle.
PRECAUTIONS- DO NOT blow your nose until such time as your doctor has indicated that your ear is healed. Any accumulated secretions in the nose may be drawn back into the throat and expectorated if desired. This is particularly important if you develop a cold.
- DO NOT “pop” your ears by holding your nose and blowing air through the Eustachian tube into the ear. If it is necessary to sneeze, do so with your mouth open.
- DO NOT shampoo your hair until one week from after the date of the procedure. Until such time, wear a cap when showering.
- DO NOT allow water in your ear canal when you begin washing your hair. You can do this by using a cotton ball coated with vaseline placed in the ear canal or by holding a styrofoam cup over the entire ear while washing the hair. This is an absolute must! Water promotes infection and may jeapordize your result. Permanant hearing loss can result.
- DO NOT take any unnecessary chance of catching cold. Avoid undue exposure or fatigue. Should you catch a cold, treat it in your usual way, reporting to us if you should develop ear symptoms.
- You may anticipate a certain amount of pulsation, popping, clicking and other sounds in the ear, and also a feeling of fullness. Occasional sharp shooting pains are not unusual. At times it may feel as if there is liquid in the ear.
- DO NOT plan to drive a car home from the hospital. Automobile and air travel is permissible two days following surgery. When changing altitude you should remain awake and chew gum to stimulate swallowing.
- DO NOT participate in any vigorous activity until you have returned for follow-up. Do not lift more than 50 pounds. No weight lifting, aerobic, or acrobatic exercise until it is approved by your doctor.
DIZZINESS
Some unsteadiness is common during the first few postoperative days; dizziness on sudden head motion may persist for several weeks. On rare occasions dizziness is prolonged. If incapacitating, or if getting worse, please have someone call the appointment desk and arrange to have you see your doctor.
DISCHARGE
There should be no discharge from the incision after four days. If any occurs after this time, please call the appointment desk and arrange to see your doctor.
Ear canal: Ointment has been placed in your ear canal. This should liquify and run out of the ear canal along with some blood. This drainage should slowly decrease but can continue for 7 to 10 days. Drainage tends to be heavier and last longer after canal wall down procedures. If the drainage turns yellow, green or develops a bad odor, please call the appointment desk and arrange to see your doctor.
PAIN
Shooting pains in and around the ear are not uncommon. Pain above the ear when chewing is common. If you have any constant ear pain, not relieved by a few Tylenol, please call the appointment desk and arrange to see your doctor.
TEMPERATURE ELEVATION
Take your temperature two times daily. Do this daily for two weeks following surgery. Should your temperature register over 101o F on two consecutive readings, please call the appointment desk and arrange to see your doctor immediately.
Should you have any questions pertaining to your ear,
please call (334) 793-4788.