Gavin A J Morrison: Post Operative Guidance: Ear Surgery

These notes are for general guidance only.
Please read the disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

Ear Pack

You will be discharged with an antiseptic ribbon pack (BIPP) already in the ear canal. This must be left in place until you return to your first out-patient clinic visit, usually after 10 to 14 days, when Mr Morrison will remove the pack. Please telephone to book this appointment at your convenience.

Keep Ear Dry

Please keep the ear dry. Do not let water get to the wound behind or in front of the ear for two weeks.

You can wash you hair, ideally with someone to help, after a couple of days. When doing this hold a towel over the ear or hold a glass or cup over the ear to protect it from water. This way you can use a hand-held shower.

Do not put your whole head under water in the shower or bath.

Dry your hair with a hair dryer and avoid rubbing behind the ear.

You will need to keep water out of the ear canal for longer, until it has all healed fully, which often takes about a month.

Nose Blowing

You should not put any pressure on the eustachian tube or ear. This means you should not blow your nose very vigorously. A very gentle blow only is advised for the first 3 weeks.

Medications

Antibiotics

If a course of antibiotics has been prescribed, please take these as indicated on the bottle.

Pain Killers

Simple analgesics such as Paracetamol, or Neurofen (Ibuprofen) may be sufficient. Unless you are allergic (or have asthma with aspirin/neurofen sensitivity), you can take both these pain killers at the same time to increase their effect. Take them as directed on the packet 3 to 4 times per day if necessary. You can use your own supply of these, bought from the chemist.

You may have been given more powerful pain killers such as Co-Codamol, Tylex, or Codiene Phosphate. Use these if necessary but do not take Tylex or co-codamol at the same time as Paracetamol.

Voltarol (Diclofenac) may have been prescribed on discharge. This is like Ibuprofen (Nurofen), and so should not be taken at the same time as Voltarol.

Ear Position

At first the ear will stick out more than before the surgery. This is normal, and is expected to settle over a few months.

Blocked Ear

The operated ear will feel very blocked, because of the pack and also because the ear will be bruised and full of blood after the surgery. This will all take some weeks to gradually clear. Expect the ear to feel very deaf to begin with.

After a week or more the middle ear may star to clear, and sudden loud crackling noises, popping or other types of tinnitus, (ringing or buzzing) are normal. They are expected to settle as the ear heals.

Bleeding

It is normal to have a yellow or blood stained secretion from the ear canal for up to a week after the surgery. You can replace the cotton wool in the ear when necessary. Do not remove the BIPP pack beyond it.

Bleeding with bulging behind the ear might indicate a haematoma. You should phone Mr Morrison’s secretary.

Dizziness

You may experience dizziness for some time after your operation. It is very variable and vertigo may be mild or may take a few weeks to settle.

If you have been discharged with Buccastem 3 mg tablets, these are intended to be placed in the cheek next to the gums in the event of troublesome vertigo or vomiting. Allow the tablet to dissolve. Do not swallow it.

You should try to progressively become more active and resume full mobility over days or a few weeks at most. It is normal to feel unstable when moving at first. The more you manage to get up and walk around normally, the quicker you will accommodate and the dizziness will go away.

Other Symptoms

The outer ear may feel numb for a month or so, until the skin nerves, which had to be cut, grow back.

Some people also experience dizziness. This should settle. If it is severe, please contact Mr Morrison’s secretary.

There may be an altered, metallic or tingling taste in the tongue after surgery. This usually settles, but can take a few months.

Sick Leave

You are usually advised to take two weeks sick leave from work if this is possible following your operation. If not, try to return to work on an easy schedule as stress might increase the risk of nose bleeding.

Exercise

Please avoid any strenuous exercise in the first 2-3 weeks after the operation. Brisk walking & everyday activities are fine but swimming, gym-work or sports are best avoided.

Driving

You can drive after a day or two, so long as you feel well, with no dizziness. If in doubt, wait for a bit longer.

Emergencies

Click here for emergency contact details.