After the Procedure:

Patients usually leave the hospital the same day as the surgery.

• Packing will be placed in the ear for the first 5 - 7 days.
• Sometimes a fresh dressing covers the ear itself.

Until your doctor or nurse says it is okay:

• Do not allow water to get into the ear. When showering or washing your hair, place cotton in the outer ear and cover it with petroleum jelly. Or, you can wear a shower cap.
• Do not "pop" your ears or blow your nose. If you need to sneeze, do so with your mouth. Draw any mucus in your nose back into your throat.
• Avoid air travel and swimming.

Gently wipe away any ear drainage on the outside of the ear. You may get ear drops the first week. Do not put anything else into the ear.

There are sometimes stitches behind the ear. If they become wet, gently dry the area. Do not rub.

You or your child may feel pulsing, or hear popping, clicking, or other sounds in the ear. The ear may feel full or as if it is filled with liquid. You may notice sharp, shooting pains off and on soon after the surgery.

To avoid catching a cold, stay away from crowded places and people with cold symptoms.

Outlook (Prognosis):

In most cases, the procedure relieves pain and infection symptoms completely. Hearing loss is minor.

The outcome may not be as good if the bones in the middle ear need to be reconstructed, along with the eardrum.