Discharge Instructions for Tympanoplasty

Your child had a procedure called tympanoplasty to repair a damaged eardrum. Here's what you need to know about home care following this procedure.

What to expect

• Expect a small amount of drainage from the ear.

• Numbness of the outer part of the ear. This will return to normal.

• Pain in the jaw. Change in or loss of taste. This will also return to normal.

Ear care

• Don't let your child lie flat for the first 24 hours.

• Discourage your child from blowing his or her nose. Don’t allow your child to hold the nose closed.

• Show your child how to sneeze with the mouth open.

• Allow your child to shower as necessary, starting 3 days after surgery. A tub bath is allowed as long as your child doesn’t put his or her head in the water.

• Keep the ear dry. You can place a cotton ball dabbed with a small amount of petroleum jelly in the outer ear to keep water out during a bath or shower.

• Give your child medicine exactly as directed.

Activity

• Make sure your child avoids activities that involve heavy lifting and straining.

• Get your doctor's permission before allowing your child to fly in a plane or before swimming.

Follow-up care

• Make follow-up appointments as directed by our staff.

• Ask your doctor when your child may return to school.