Postoperative Instructions for Patients Undergoing Stapes Surgery

1. Remove the dressing on the day after surgery. Take the bandaid off and remove the cotton ball.

2. Change the cotton ball as needed to catch any blood draining from the ear. Some drainage from the ear canal is expected after surgery. If the drainage is profuse, or foul-smelling, call the doctor.

3. Beginning on the second day after surgery, try to leave the cotton out of the ear as much as possible. If the ear is draining, replace the cotton as needed to catch the drainage and keep it from running onto your face and clothes.

4. Do not get water into the ear canal for four to six weeks after surgery. When showering or washing your hair, place a piece of cotton coated with Vaseline into the ear canal to prevent water from getting into the ear canal.

5. The small incision behind the ear should be kept dry for 2 days after surgery. After 2 days, it is okay to let the incision get wet, but still keep water out of the ear canal. The stitches on the incision will dissolve within a few weeks and do not need to be removed.

6. Some dizziness and nausea is expected for 3 days after surgery. If it becomes severe or is associated with intractable vertigo or vomiting, call the doctor. It is common to experience dizziness when moving your head for several weeks after surgery.

7. Immediately after surgery, the ear may feel very plugged and the hearing may be very muffled, due to packing in the ear canal. Improvement in hearing is not expected for 2 months after surgery. If there seems to be a TOTAL loss of hearing (complete deafness) after surgery, call your doctor right away.

8. Popping sounds, echoing, a plugged sensation, ringing or fluctuating hearing may be noticed during the healing process.

9. Keep your head elevated as much as possible. For the first 3 nights, it is best to sleep and rest on 2 or 3 pillows if possible.

10. Do not blow your nose for 3 weeks after surgery. If you must sneeze or cough, do so with your mouth open.

11. For 4 weeks after surgery, do not lift anything heavier than 20 pounds, do not strain or bend over, or perform any vigorous physical activity.

12. No airplane travel or dental work for 4 weeks after surgery.

13. It is common to experience a metalic taste or a sensation of tongue numbness after surgery. This is typically just temporary, but may last for several months. It is rarely long-lasting.

14. Call the office to make an appointment to be seen 7-10 days after surgery

15. If any questions or problems arise, contact the Head and Neck Surgery clinic at (510) 675-4241.