Home Care Instructions Following Myringotomy with Placement of Tubes
DIET
Any good food is all right to eat.
ACTIVITY
Avoid vigorous activity the first 48 hours after surgery so the tube won't come out.
PRECAUTIONS
Do not clean the ear canal with cotton swabs or put anything else like your finger or a hair pin into the ear canal.
Do not get water in the ears. This means absolutely no swimming while the tubes are in place unless your doctor has said it is alright.
You must also keep water out of the ears while washing hair. To do this, cover a cotton ball with a thin layer of petroleum jelly and put the cotton ball in the ear canal. This helps to form a protective seal.
If water does get in the ears, tilt the head to the side so the water drains out of the wet ear. Place a dry towel to the ear to absorb the water. After the water drains out, use a blow dryer at a low, warm setting to gently blow over the wet ear to help evaporate the water. Call your physician.
EAR DRAINAGE
You may see a tiny amount of bloody drainage from the ears for the first two days after the tubes are placed. This will quickly go away. It is normal and is no cause for concern.
EAR DROPS
You may get a prescription for ear drops. To use them, first hold the bottle in your hand for ten minutes to warm them. Cold drops in your ear could make you dizzy. Then tilt the head, use a medicine or ear dropper to drop the correct number of drops, then gently insert a cotton ball into the ear canal. The cotton ball may be removed after 20 to 30 minutes.
RETURN APPOINTMENT
Your doctor will want you to have a recheck appointment within 10-14 days after the surgery. Usually this return appointment is made before you leave the hospital. If the appointment isn't made or if you need to change it, please the office. It is very important that you keep your return appointment.
Earplugs may be fitted at the time of your return appointment.
Hearing may be tested at the time of the return appointment, either right before or right after you see the doctor.
Important Phone Numbers
If you have any questions regarding what to expect following your surgery, please call our office at (615) 327-3077. A message center is available to answer your call after hours.
Call the doctor if you experience:
- drainage that is thick, green, yellow, or has a foul odor
- temperature is over 101 degrees
You may talk to a doctor or nurse in our office by calling the numbers 615-386-9089 or (615) 327-3077. A message center will answer your calls after office hours and contact the doctor for you.