After the Procedure
Activity: Children should be taken home to rest for the remainder of the day. Normal activity may be resumed on the following day. Adults who have this procedure done in the office may resume normal activities immediately.
Diet: A child should be encouraged to eat whatever he or she can tolerate. Fluids should be encouraged for the first 24 hours.
Pain: Discomfort following tube placement can usually be controlled with plain Tylenol. Children's Motrin may be helpful, as long as the child did not have any additional surgical procedures (e.g., tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy).
Care of the Ear: If there was fluid in the ear(s) at the time of surgery, eardrops will be recommended to prevent postoperative ear drainage or obstruction of the tympanotomy tube. The usual dosage is 3 drops in the ear(s) 3 times a day for 3 days. Or, follow the instructions given by your doctor. If you or your child seem uncomfortable at the time the drops are placed and there is no drainage, stop using the drops. If drainage is present, call your physician.
Water Precautions: For the first 2 weeks, place a cotton ball with Vaseline in the ear(s) when bathing. After a 2 week follow-up appointment, the audiologist may fit you or your child with custom ear molds to be used when swimming and bathing, or you can purchase earplugs (e.g., Silicone Plugs, Docs' Pro Plugs) at your local pharmacy.
If water accidentally enters your or your child's ear(s) and no drainage is present, do not start any treatment. If there is drainage from the ear(s), start using the drops provided by your physician. If the drainage lasts for more than 3 days or if accompanied by fever, pain, or extreme irritability, call your physician.
If you have any questions or if any of the following occur, call your doctor:
- Temperature greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Chills
- Increased ear pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Drainage for more than 3 days