Patient Education

Ear Tubes

Post Operative Instructions

At Alabama ENT, getting your life back to normal quickly and safely is our chief concern. Much of that will depend on how closely you follow the instructions in this handout. So, please read over this brief pamphlet, and make sure that what it contains is clear to you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask your surgeon.

• WARNING! NEVER use cotton swabs to clean your ear canals.

• NO SMOKE! Smoking, smokeless tobacco products, and second-hand smoke increase your chances of bleeding and infection following your surgery.

• DAILY ROUTINE: Feel free to return to school or work the day after surgery.

• MEDICATION: Begin using antibiotic eardrops the day after surgery; Continue for 3-5 days.
  The medication (ear drops) is to be placed in the ear canal while lying with the affected ear facing upward. Place five drops into the ear two times each day. It is normal for some of the medication to seep out of the ear after application.
  To maximize the healing effect of the medication, and to ensure that it stays in the ear, lie quietly with the treated ear facing upward for 10 minutes following each treatment.

• DRAINAGE & INFECTION: For a few days after the surgery, don’t be alarmed if you have blood-tinged to clear drainage from your ears. This is normal. A cotton ball may be placed in the ear to absorb drainage. However, if the drainage becomes yellow, green, or has a foul smelling odor, please call our office.

• CHANGES IN HEARING: Some patients hear a variety of noises in their ears after surgery, such as cracking or popping. Typically, hearing improves immediately after the surgery, but it may also not reach optimal health for several weeks. This is an expected response to treatment and does not imply treatment failure in any way.

• BALANCE: It is not uncommon to feel slightly dizzy or light-headed for up to 1 week after surgery.

• TRAVEL: You may fly the day following surgery.

• RECREATION: You may swim in chlorinated water only. Springboard diving and deep-water swimming should be avoided. If you swim in non-chlorinated water, use antibiotic eardrops before bed.

• PERSONAL HYGIENE: You may wash your hair 3 days after surgery. However, keeping the ear canal as dry as possible is very important to the healing process. You may place a cotton ball heavily coated with polysporin or Vaseline in the outermost part of the ear to keep all water out of the ear canal. The outer ear may be wiped gently with a soft cloth or cotton swab to remove drainage, but if the ear is tender this is unnecessary. You may also hold plastic wrap over the ear while bathing, to keep it dry.
  When bathing, it is important to keep as much water as possible out of the ear. This can be done either with a cotton ball coated with ointment or custom made earplugs.

• You have yellow, green or bloody drainage from the ear for more than 7 days.

• You have redness in the ear area, or swelling of soft tissue.

• You have a temperature over 101 that persists after surgery.