Ear Tubes

Liquid or soft foods may be taken after your child has fully awakened from the anesthetic. Mild pain in the ear may be present and is readily relieved by acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Blood-tinged drainage from the ear after surgery is very common and may last for several days. A cotton ball may have been inserted in the ear canal at the time of surgery to absorb drainage. The cotton ball cotton should be changed as often as necessary while the drainage is present.

Ear drops of an antibiotic solution may have been used at the time of tube placement. You may receive a bottle of antibiotic ear drops from the surgeon in the waiting area after surgery. You will use these ear drops at home. Place 2 drops in each ear, 2 times a day, for 5 days after surgery (the duration of therapy will be discussed with you). These ear drops help treat any underlying infection and/or prevent the tube from becoming clogged with blood. The day after surgery, activity should return to normal, and your child may return to daycare or school.

Water Precautions: Your child may bathe, shower, and swim in the pool without ear plugs. However, children may complain of discomfort when water penetrates in the ear canal. For this reason, you may want to place ear plugs to prevent water from going in. Diving from a height, or plunging more than 3 feet underwater may result in water entering the middle ear through the tube, possibly leading to discomfort and/or an ear infection. In addition to ear plugs, some children may require a neoprene head band or swim cap to keep water out.

Ear Drainage & Infections: Ear drainage may occur immediately after the procedure and/or at any time while the tubes are in place and open (patent). If the ear drainage is runny, white, yellow-green, bloody, or foul smelling, antibiotic ear drop may be needed. Do not use any over the counter ear drops, such as Polysporin, as they may cause permanent hearing loss. Please contact Dr. Mostachfi. If the tubes are in place and open, infections usually respond to the antibiotic ear drops without the need for oral antibiotics.

Follow-up: Please book a follow up appointment to check the tubes, 1-2 weeks after surgery. Dr. Mostachfi will have your child come in for a check every 3 months until the tubes natural come out of the ear drums (generally 8-12 months after surgery).