POST OPERATIVE ADVICE FOR EAR SURGERY

• Do not lie on operated side
• Keep mouth open while sneezing, so that the pressure of the sneeze releases from mouth and not from nose as this may cause problem in ear in early post-operative period.
• Avoid entry of water into the ear as this may cause infection in the ear. While taking a bath, keep the cotton ball soaked in Vaseline in the ear, so as to prevent entry of water into ear.
• Avoid blowing of nose. This may force the discharge if any in the nose into ear and also it will cause pressure changes in the ear which may affect the outcome of the surgery adversely.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights and straining. This may cause pressure changes in ear and also venous engorgement. May cause displacement of prosthesis if any placed in the ear along with the graft.
• Avoid swimming in early post-operative period as this may introduce infection in the ear. Moist environment in the ear may also cause fungal infection in the ear(otomycosis).
• Avoid exposure to loud sounds.
• Avoid air travel for at least 1 month due to the pressure changes it will cause in the ear.
• You may feel dizzy or may have vertigo after some ear surgeries and may vomit.
• One may have blocked and moist feeling in the ear as there will be medicated packs in the ear.
• One can have bath below the neck from the next day onward. But hair is to be washed only after the ear pack is removed and with precautions as advised. It is always preferable that some one else wash the hair with precautions (cotton and Vaseline) so that water does not enter the ear.
• Stitches are generally removed after 5-7 days and outer gauge pack is removed after 10 days.
• Inform immediately if there is sudden hearing loss, vertigo or tinnitus.