Postoperative Instructions for Myringotomy (with tubes):

1. Most likely your child will be able to resume normal activity and diet as soon as he/she gets home from surgery and most likely there will be little, if any pain or discomfort. There may be some drowsiness.
2. Ear discomfort, if present, should respond easily to Tylenol.
3. Sometimes following general anesthesia, there is nausea or vomiting. Give only clear liquids until improved. If not improved by the morning after surgery, call your doctor.
4. There may be drainage of any sort including bloody drainage from either or both ears for several days after surgery. Do not be alarmed by this. If the drainage persists for more than 3-5 days call your doctor.
5. Protect the ears from soap and water with the Pro-plugs prescribed by your doctor or by other means he/she has advised. Your child may go swimming as directed by your doctor.
6. Expect the tubes to stay in the ears between 6 and 24 months, although shorter and longer times do occur.
7. The tubes will nearly always restore your child’s hearing to normal; at least the parts of the hearing loss caused by fluid and infection and will usually, but not always, prevent ear infections. Some children will get infections even with tubes.
8. The tubes will eventually fall out on their own and you may or may not notice them. Your doctor will attend to this and other problems at your child’s periodic postoperative examinations.
9. Rarely, when the tubes fall out, a small hole in the eardrum remains and requires a surgical procedure, usually of a minor nature, to correct.

If you have any questions or concerns about this procedure, please call your doctor’s office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (408) 972-6580. If after hours, call the Advice Center at (408) 362-4791.