Center for Advanced Subspecialty Care and Otolaryngolgy providing otolaryngology services for Plymouth County and surrounding southeastern Massachusetts.

Myringotomy with or without tympanostomy tube insertion is the most commonly performed ear operation. It is extremely safe and effective. Complications are minor, and usually in the form of infection which may be treated with antibiotics. The tube usually remains in place for several months, although it may be rejected sooner, or remain in place for years. As long as there is a tube in the ear, care should be taken to avoid water contamination, especially bath water. Using earplugs, or if desired, a bathing cap will help. Also, cotton balls with Vaseline might be more appropriate for younger children or patients with sensitive ear canals. Occasionally the tympanic membrane fails to heal after tubes have been removed, and the resultant perforation may require surgical repair. In some cases, particularly when there is a family history of chronic ear disease, tympanostomy tubes may need to be replaced. Hearing improvement is usually immediate after fluid has been removed from the ear. Failure to improve hearing indicates a second problem in the middle or inner ear.

Some of the common occurrences following myringotomy and tube operations are as follows.

1. There may be a low grade temperature for the first 24 hours, but it should not exceed 100 degrees.
2. There should be little or no nausea or vomiting following this procedure. There are no dietary restrictions.
3. There may be a slight amount of drainage from one or both ears, but this should not last more than 48 hours.
4. Your physician will discuss with you, protection of the ears during bathing and swimming.
5. Continuation of any medication and/or ear drops will be discussed by your physician.

We hope you will have a smooth and rapid recovery in your convalescent period, and please remember that we are a phone call away at any time. We are here to help you through this period of time, so donâ??t hesitate to call us if you have any difficulties or concerns.

Should you find it necessary to call the office following surgery, one of our nurses may be able to answer your questions. If not, she will ask your doctor to return the call when he is available, or she may instruct you to come into the office to see him.

1. The initial post-op visit takes place approximately 4-10 days after surgery, unless otherwise specified by your surgeon. Please call the office following your discharge to arrange for your visit. It may be necessary at times however, to ask you to see the doctor sooner. Your cooperation in this regard will be appreciated.

2. DO NOT blow your nose until such time as your doctor has indicated that your ear is healed. Any accumulated secretions in the nose may be drawn back into the throat and expectorated if desired. This is particularly important if you develop a cold.

3. DO NOT "pop"� your ears by holding your nose and blowing air through the eustachian tube into your ear. If it is necessary to sneeze, do so with your mouth open.

4. DO NOT allow water to enter the ear until advised by your doctor that the ear has healed. Until such time, when showering or washing the hair, cotton covered with Vaseline may be placed in the outer ear opening. If an incision was made in the skin behind your ear, water should be kept away from this area for one week. Be careful not to remove any ear packing when removing the cotton ball from the external ear canal.

5. DO NOT take any unnecessary chance of catching a cold. Avoid undue exposure or fatigue. Should you catch a cold, treat it in your usual way, and report to us if you should develop ear symptoms.

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Mastoidectomy is an operation used to remove disease from bone behind the ear when medical management is inadequate. There need not be excessive drainage or ear pain for mastoid disease to exist. Sometimes a mastoidectomy is required in order to gain better exposure to the middle ear, and an area over the middle ear called the attic.

Although complications do not often occur, they include persistent ear drainage, infection of the mastoid cavity, and hearing loss. Facial nerve injury, or paralysis of the face on the side of the injury is a rare but potential hazard in mastoid surgery. There may be dizziness for a short period of time after surgery, but this is rarely permanent. Loss of taste on the side of the tongue that lasts a few weeks may occur, but may also be permanent.

We hope you will have a smooth and rapid recovery in your convalescent period, and please remember that we are a phone call away at any time. We are here to help you through this period of time, so don't hesitate to call us if you have any difficulties or concerns.

Should you find it necessary to call the office following surgery, one of our nurses may be able to answer your questions. If not, she will ask your doctor to return the call when he is available, or she may instruct you to come into the office to see him.

1. The initial post-op visit takes place approximately 4-10 days after surgery, unless otherwise specified by your surgeon. Please call the office following your discharge to arrange for your visit. It may be necessary at times however, to ask you to see the doctor sooner. Your cooperation in this regard will be appreciated.

2. DO NOT blow your nose until such time as your doctor has indicated that your ear is healed. Any accumulated secretions in the nose may be drawn back into the throat and expectorated if desired. This is particularly important if you develop a cold.

3. DO NOT "pop"� your ears by holding your nose and blowing air through the eustachian tube into your ear. If it is necessary to sneeze, do so with your mouth open.

4. DO NOT allow water to enter the ear until advised by your doctor that the ear has healed. Until such time, when showering or washing the hair, cotton covered with Vaseline may be placed in the outer ear opening. If an incision was made in the skin behind your ear, water should be kept away from this area for one week. Be careful not to remove any ear packing when removing the cotton ball from the external ear canal.

5. DO NOT take any unnecessary chance of catching a cold. Avoid undue exposure or fatigue. Should you catch a cold, treat it in your usual way, and report to us if you should develop ear symptoms.

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