Han G. Sohn

MD, FACS

Post-Operative Care and Instructions for Tympanoplasty

There are many questions that may arise after your ear surgery. These instructions are designed to

should decrease over a period of several weeks. It may also be noticed that there is some numbness

over the top of the ear after the bandage have been removed. This is the result of bruising of the

sensory nerves to the ear as a result of the incision. This numbness will gradually subside over a period

of several months.

Bleeding

There may be occasional mild bleeding from the incision behind the ear. This is usually of no concern. If

there is some drainage from the incision site, a small piece of gauze can be taped behind the ear in

order to collect the drainage. If the bleeding is of concern, you should call the office. After the surgery is

complete, the ear canal may be packed with an absorbable material. As this material liquefies, it usually

There may be occasional brief, stabbing pain in the ear up to one week after surgery. Analgesics will be

prescribed if they are necessary. These should be taken only when needed. Tylenol is fine if the pain is

not severe.

Cleaning the Ear

Any dried blood in the outer ear may be gently cleaned with a Q-tip and hydrogen peroxide. The

incision behind the ear should be cleaned twice a day with a Q-tip and hydrogen peroxide.

Temperature

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Han G. Sohn

MD, FACS

Temperatures >101.5 should be reported to the office.

Weakness

It is not unusual after a person has had an anesthetic, or any type of operation, for them to feel weak or

become lightheaded. This gradually subsides in several days with medication.

Dizziness

The hearing organ and balance organ are all part of the same system. Both organs are very delicate

and, therefore, may be off set after surgery. Occasionally, a patient may experience dizziness for

several days after surgery. This is especially true in the case of stapedectomy operations and

reconstruction of the ossicular chain. Such dizziness usually subsides within several days. If the

material to resorb. You may begin to notice occasional popping of the ear several weeks after surgery.

This is the result of resorption of the blood and entrance of air into the middle ear cavity. It is a normal

part of the healing process.

Resuming Activities

It is advisable to sleep with the head of the bed elevated for the first week after surgery. This helps to

minimize swelling behind the ear and in the middle ear cavity. The head of the bed may be elevated by

sleeping on two or three pillows or by placing several pillows under the mattress. After the first week,

you may sleep without the head of the bed elevated. You should avoid all activities that may increase

blood pressure in the head area. Therefore, avoid bending over and lifting heavy objects for at least two

glasses from rubbing against the suture line. Contact lenses may be inserted the day after surgery. Tub

baths or showering can be resumed as soon as the patient feels strong enough to do so. The hair may

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Han G. Sohn

MD, FACS

may be accomplished by placing cotton coated with Vaseline into the ear canal opening. Care must be

used with hair dryers since the top of ear may be numb and could be injured if care is not taken.

Returning to Work or School

The average patient is usually able to return to school or work one to two weeks following surgery.

Return to work or school is dependent upon the amount of physical activity involved. Following simple

tympanoplasty most patients may return to their school activities in a few days to a week.

Medications When discharged from the hospital/clinic, you will be given several prescriptions. One

prescription may be an antibiotic which should be taken as directed until it is completely gone. A

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