{"id":4946,"date":"2020-07-25T22:07:27","date_gmt":"2020-07-26T02:07:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/ent\/?page_id=4946"},"modified":"2023-02-20T16:47:52","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T21:47:52","slug":"post-operative-care-instructions-following-tympanostomy-ear-tubes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/ent\/services\/pediatric-otolaryngology\/post-operative-care-instructions-following-tympanostomy-ear-tubes\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Operative Care Instructions Following Tympanostomy (Ear Tubes)"},"content":{"rendered":"

These instructions are to help you know what to expect after a tympanostomy, an ear tube placement. The most asked questions are answered below, but if you have other questions, please contact us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical Activity\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most patients go home shortly after the procedure. Because your child received a general anesthetic it is common for them to be a tired or off balance for the rest of the day.\u00a0They should rest under adult supervision the day of the procedure.\u00a0There is no\u00a0other\u00a0limit on activity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Post-Operative Care<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is common to have a little clear yellow drainage from the ear for a day or two after the surgery and you may even see a little blood. This is normal and should quickly get better. You\u2019ve been given antibiotic ear drops to use to prevent infection after surgery. You\u2019re usually instructed to use 4 drops two times a day for 5 days, but if your surgeon has given you other instructions, follow those.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The opening of the tubes placed in your child\u2019s ears are small enough that it\u2019s tough for water to get through. Surface swimming in clean pools doesn\u2019t require ear plugs. Soapy water can get through the openings, so during bath time you should avoid pouring water directly in the ears or submerging the head all the way under water. If a\u00a0little\u00a0water\u00a0splashes\u00a0in\u00a0the ears,\u00a0that is okay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you notice bad smelling or thick drainage from the ears, call us at the clinic and we will arrange for a follow up or call in a prescription for antibiotic drops.\u00a0If you have antibiotic ear drops at home, you may use those for 7 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diet<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the recovery room you\u2019ll typically be given some clear fluids or a popsicle in case your child has some nausea after the anesthetic. Once\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0home there is no restriction on diet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pain<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Any pain after the procedure is often mild and can be managed easily with Motrin\/Ibuprofen\u00a0or Tylenol.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow up<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You should have an appointment to check the tubes a few weeks after the procedure. If you don\u2019t know\u00a0when your appointment is,\u00a0please call us.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These instructions are to help you know what to expect after a tympanostomy, an ear tube placement. The most asked questions are answered below, but if you have other questions, please contact us.\u00a0 Physical Activity\u00a0\u00a0 Most patients go home shortly after the procedure. Because your child received a general anesthetic it is common for them … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91027,"featured_media":0,"parent":302,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"layout":"","cellInformation":"","apiCallInformation":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-4946","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","odd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPost-Operative Care Instructions Following Tympanostomy (Ear Tubes) | UNC Otolaryngology\/Head and Neck Surgery<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/ent\/services\/pediatric-otolaryngology\/post-operative-care-instructions-following-tympanostomy-ear-tubes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Post-Operative Care Instructions Following Tympanostomy (Ear Tubes) | UNC Otolaryngology\/Head and Neck Surgery\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"These instructions are to help you know what to expect after a tympanostomy, an ear tube placement. 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