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POST OP INSTRUCTIONS: EAR SURGERY |
POSTOPERATIVE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR STADEDECTOMY, TYMPANOPLASTY,
HEARING BONE RECONSTRUCTION AND MASTOID
SURGERY
The following guidelines should help during
the first week after surgery. Although
individual responses vary widely following
any operation, you (or your child) can
expect to return to normal in about ten
days.
DRESSING AND WOUND CARE: You have the
possibility of having a large head dressing
on when you are discharged from the
hospital. You will be given an appointment
to come into the office the next day to have
it removed. If you do not have a dressing,
you will have a cotton ball in your ear
canal, which will need to be removed. You
will return to the office for this within
5-7 days after surgery. You may have
stitches behind your ear, which may need to
come out in 7-10 days. The stitches will
need to be cleaned with peroxide and a Q-tip
twice a day. You may shower or wash your
hair if you place a cotton ball in the ear
and cover it with Vaseline. Keep water out
of the operated ear.
DO NOT “pop” your ears by holding your nose
and blowing air through the Eustachian tube
in to the ear. If it is necessary to sneeze,
do so with your mouth open.
DO NOT take any unnecessary chance of
catching a cold. Avoid undue exposure or
fatigue. Should you catch a cold, treat it
in your usual way, reporting any ear
symptoms to the office.
DO NOT have dental work requiring drilling
of the teeth until three weeks after the
surgery.
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 a liquid in the ear
DO NOT plan on driving a car home from the
hospital. Air travel is permissible two
weeks after surgery. When changing altitude
you should remain awake and chew gum to
stimulate swallowing.
ACTIVITY: After the dressing is removed you
can resume your normal activities as
tolerated.
DIET: After discharge from the hospital or
surgery center, adequate fluids are
essential and may be given in almost any
form such as water, soda, juice, jello or
popsicles. Encourage fluids for at least 10
days. Drinking citrus fruit juices,
pineapple and tomato juice may sting due to
the acid, and should be discouraged. Soft
foods are tolerated best at first and should
be encouraged. Highly seasoned or very
scratchy food should be avoided. Normal diet
can be advanced as tolerated.
PAIN: Pain and discomfort is variable after
surgery. Medication may be prescribed to
help control pain, take as directed. You may
also use Tylenol or Acetaminophen. If
significant pain around the ear not
adequately treated by pain medication
occurs, please contact us.
FEVER: Very slight elevations of temperature
during the first few days are usual. If the
temperature above 101.5 degrees, please
contact us.
VOMITING: Nausea and vomiting may occur
following anesthesia and usually clears
after the first day. If persistent nausea
and vomiting occurs after the first day at
home, please contact us.
MEDICATIONS: Medication may be prescribed to
help control pain, take as directed. You may
also use Tylenol or Acetaminophen. If you
have been prescribed an antibiotic take as
directed. You may resume any other
medications that you use regularly. If
taking pain medications, avoid drinking
alcohol or other dangerous situations.
DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR ASPIRIN CONTAINING
MEDICATIONS FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS.
FOLLOW-UP VISIT TO THE OFFICE: If a
postoperative appointment has not been made
for you, please call the office the day
after surgery to arrange an appointment
within one to two weeks following the
surgery.
PROBLEMS AND QUESTIONS: For any problems
that arise, or to ask any questions, please
call the office during regular business
hours. Drs. Berghash, Lanza, and Zeiders are on
call after hours and weekends for
emergencies. |
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