After Ear Surgery Care

Discharge Information: post Ear Surgery

Dear Patient/Carer:

Please read this document carefully as it contains important information that complements the
instructions given by your MEG Specialist during your recent surgical admission.

Medications:

• Pain Management:
  • You will receive prescribed analgesics on discharge (e.g. Paracetamol, Ibuprofen)
  • Use as directed, and consult your MEG ENT Specialist if you have any
    concerns/questions.
  • Most patients do not experience much pain.
  • If it occurs it can be with simple pain medication
• Topical Antibiotics:
  • For after ear surgery care your MEG ENT Specialist may prescribe topical antibiotic drops post-operatively.
  • Use as directed.

• Wound Care:
  • Keeping the Operated Ear Dry.
    • You must keep your ear canal dry until further advice from your MEG ENT
      Specialist.
    • After your MEG ENT Specialist removes any packing, (See below) you will be able to
      use cotton wool coated with Vaseline® / ear plugs / Blu-tac® / shower caps when
      showering or taking baths to avoid getting water in the ears.
    • Avoid swimming until your MEG ENT Specialist advises you it is safe to do so.
    • If you are able to return to swimming, using ear plugs (custom or disposable) is
      advisable.
  • Ear plugs can be bought from chemists and are of variable effectiveness
  • Ensure they are the ones for water exclusion (not the noise protection variety).
  • The best are custom made plugs, although they are more expensive – they are
    available from audiologists/hearing aid specialists.
    • Wash your hair carefully at a sink and keep your operated ear away from the water.
      You may then wash the rest of your body as usual (shower or bath)
• General Ear Canal Care.
  • Do not remove your ear packing.
  • If your ear packing dislodges from the ear canal, do not try to reinsert it. Please notify
    MEG practice as soon as practicable.
  • If instructed to use Antibiotic eardrops, drop them on top of the ear packing (as this is
    usually a sponge material) as instructed.
• Skin wound care
  • You may have a wound at the opening of the ear canal, or behind the ear.
  • This wound may be covered by adhesive paper strips (Steri-strips®).
  • As one of an after ear surgery care, please clean this area daily with water +/- a medicated anti-bacterial soap.
  • Gently dab this region dry an leave exposed.
  • The steri-strips® may fall off as the days go by; if not your MEG ENT Specialist will
    remove them at your post-operative appointment.
• Bleeding:
  • Bleeding from the ear, or from the wound behind the ear occurs occasionally.
  • This is common after any pack/head dressing is removed but usually stops quickly.
  • If bleeding occurs, place gauze or cotton wool over the area and if it continues to be a
    problem contact your MEG ENT specialist or GP.

Diet:

• No restrictions

Return to Normal Activities:

• First 72 hours:
  • Have relative rest at home.
  • Try to sleep on your back with your head elevated by 2-3 pillows.
• Weeks 1-2 Post-op:
  • Avoid blowing your nose
  • If required, use saline nasal sprays to clean your nasal passages.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects.
  • Avoid bending over – If you need to pick up objects from the floor, do so by bending
    your knees and keeping your head upright if possible.
• Weeks 3-4 Post-op:
  • You may now restart slowly all previous levels of physical activity (including exercise and
    sports)
• First 3 months Post-op:
  • MEG ENT Specialists advise you avoid taking airflights during this period if possible.

Attend your nearest Emergency Department or Local GP Clinic if:

• Your GP if: You have headache, fever or severe pain that doesn’t respond to the prescribed
  analgaesics.
  • Your MEG ENT Specialist would be keen to provide advice to your doctor if required
• Your Emergency department or Call 000 if: you have sudden onset hearing loss or
  vertigo/dizziness or increasing nausea/vomiting.
  • Ask the attending physician to contact your MEG ENT Specialist for immediate advice.

On your Postoperative Appointment:

• 1st post-operative visit: your MEG ENT Specialist
• 2nd post-operative visit: your MEG ENT Specialist will remove the packing from your ear
  and clean your ear canal
• A follow-up audiogram will be organised through MEG, or you will be instructed to
  attend for a post-operative audiogram in your local area.

We will confirm the time and date of your post-operative appointment soon. Do not hesitate to
contact us if you require any further information regarding these instructions.

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Learn more about the ear surgery procedure