Ear Tubes

AFTER SURGERY

If placement of the tubes is the only surgical procedure performed, your child should be back to normal either the afternoon following surgery or that next day. It is very common for children to pull at their ears, even for months after the surgery. So long as there is no drainage or fever to suggest infection, do not be concerned about this habit. However, should you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to call our office. As for keeping water out of the ears, we will recommend either silicone putty or cotton with Vaseline petroleum jelly. The risk of ear infection truly is very slight unless the child's head is immersed entirely under water. Therefore, bath time is generally not a problem. With children who will be swimming, various options for ear protection will be discussed with you.

It is not unusual to have drainage, sometimes blood tinged, from the ear for a few days after surgery. If you are given eardrops or other medication after surgery, please use these as directed. Be sure to warm eardrops prior to placement in the ears by either putting them in your pocket for 15 - 20 minutes or placing the bottle in a glass of warm water. Ear pain after surgery typically responds to either Advil or Tylenol.

Usually, your child should be seen within two weeks following the surgery and then every six months while the tubes are in place. If your child develops an ear infection, please call our office or the office of the physician who referred your child to see us.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office. Our office is open five days a week. In case of an emergency after normal office hours, please call our office and they will page the on - call physician.

DO NOT GET WATER IN THE EARS! This is very important because it may cause infections.

You must use special earplugs or Vaseline over cotton placed in the ear when washing your hair or bathing. (Earplugs are available through our office.)

You may go swimming only if you do not put your head under water. You must use special plugs or ear molds if you swim. NO DIVING.

It is extremely important that you come back for routine visits.

Patient needs to be seen after surgery for checkup as directed by your physician. Please call the office for an appointment.

After this checkup, the follow up visits will be scheduled at intervals until the tubes come out. The average time for the tubes to stay in is 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of tube used.

There may be a bloody discharge after surgery. Clean the outside ear with a washcloth. DO NOT USE Q-Tips!

You may return to school or work the day after surgery.

Report any persistent drainage from ears or drainage that has a bad odor.