Discharge Instructions for Tympanoplasty (Child)

Your child had a procedure called tympanoplasty to repair a damaged eardrum. Here's what you need to know about home care.

What to expect

These are common side effects that should go away on their own. If you are concerned or notice worsening symptoms, contact your child's health care provider.

• A small amount of drainage from the ear

• Numbness of the outer part of the ear

• Pain in the jaw

• Change in or loss of taste (this will return to normal)

Ear care

• Don't let your child lie flat for the first 24 hours.

• Try to keep your child from blowing their nose. Don’t allow your child to hold their nose closed.

• Show your child how to sneeze with the mouth open.

• Allow your child to shower as needed, unless the provider gives other directions. A tub bath is allowed as long as your child doesn’t put their head in the water.

• Keep the ear dry. You can place a cotton ball dabbed with a small amount of petroleum jelly in the outer ear to keep water out during a bath or shower.

• Give your child medicine exactly as directed.

Activity

• Make sure your child avoids activities that involve heavy lifting and straining.

• Talk to your child's provider before letting your child fly in a plane or before swimming.

Follow-up care

• Make follow-up appointments as directed by your child's provider.

• Ask your child's provider when your child may return to school.

When to contact your child's doctor

Contact your child's surgeon right away if:

• You see redness or swelling around the ear.

• Your child is dizzy.

• There is drainage from the ear with an odor or increased drainage.

• Your child has an ongoing headache.

• Your child is seeing double or has blurry vision.

• Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your child's surgeon.

• Your child's face muscles are weak.

• Your child has unusual eye movements.

• Your child has ringing in the ears.