Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Ear Center

Conditions We Treat

Ear Surgery Patient Instructions

Treatment Options

Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Nasal Dysfunction

Skull Base Surgery

Thyroid Clinic

Voice & Swallowing Disorders

Before Surgery

Discuss any general health problems with your surgeon. You will need a current blood test (CBC) within one month of your surgery and complete history and physical examination. These can be arranged at our office at your preoperative visit. Other laboratory studies, such as an EKG or chest x-ray may be requested.

Know the risks and potential complications of your upcoming surgery. As with any operation, infection, scarring, and blood clot formation (hematoma) are possible. The facial nerve is at risk for injury or temporary weakness during any ear surgery. Dizziness following surgery may be expected. Hearing loss or ringing in the ear (tinnitus) may be more pronounced. Taste disturbance is not uncommon in certain ear surgeries for a few weeks following surgery and, in a few instances, could be prolonged or permanent.

An incision may be made behind your ear and/or on your earlobe. These areas normally heal without problems or obvious scars. Hair around the ear may or may not be shaved.

The following are important considerations for your surgery:

1. Take no aspirin or ibuprofen for 10 days before surgery
2. Wash your hair the night before surgery. Do not wear any makeup or jewelry.
3. Do not eat or drink anything (including water) after midnight before surgery. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any water.
4. Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.

After Surgery

After discharge from the hospital you may resume most normal activities. You may not do any heavy lifting (nothing over 25 lbs.) and you may not do any vigorous exercises (jogging, tennis, aerobics). Do not bend over. If you need to bend, bend at your knees.

Do not shampoo your hair for one week after surgery. After one week you may wash your hair, being careful not to get any water in your ear. To avoid water in the ear, work Vaseline into a piece of cotton and put it in the ear, then put more Vaseline on top of the cotton. If you have sutures behind the ear, be sure to keep the area dry.

You will have some packing in your ear that will prevent you from hearing well following surgery. The outer ear pack will be removed one week following surgery. If any packing falls out, do not replace it, just put a clean piece of cotton in the ear and call your doctor or clinic. You will be started on ear drops one week after surgery to loosen the inner packing. Two weeks after surgery all packing will be removed, in most instances.

• DO NOT REMOVE THE PACKING YOURSELF.

You may apply Bacitracin ointment to the incision behind the ear with a clean cotton ball. Do not use Q-Tips for any reason.

Do not take any medication containing aspirin or ibuprofen for 10 days after surgery.

Flying is usually permitted one month after surgery. Swimming may be allowed six weeks after surgery, but check with your doctor first before resuming swimming or other water sports. If your work is not strenuous and depending upon the type of surgery you've had, you may return to work 3 to 4 days from the date of surgery. Check with your doctor if your work requires heavy lifting.

Your hearing will be diminished after surgery due to the packing in your ear canal and/or middle ear. You may hear a variety of strange noises in your ear, such as cracking, popping, ringing, etc., and you may sense a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ear. This is normal. Do not blow your nose for 10 days after surgery. After 10 days, you may blow your nose gently, one side at a time, with your mouth open.

Call your doctor or the clinic immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Fever (oral temperature above 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Sudden dizziness that was not present prior to surgery
• Weakness or numbness of the face
• Pain that is not helped by taking pain medication and is getting worse rather than better
• Redness and/or selling around the incision
• Thin, yellow, or cloudy drainage from the ear. (Thin, brownish-red fluid usually is dissolving blood coming from the packing and is normal)

Following any surgery your resistance is down, so don't expect to be in full swing. Everyone is an individual with different lifestyles and energy levels. Do not hesitate to call your doctor of the Head and Neck Surgery Clinic if you have any problems or questions. If problems arise after clinic hours, call the page operator and ask for the Head and Neck Surgeon on call.

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