Patient Resources

Post-Operative Instructions : Ear Tubes

• Children are irritable when awakening from anesthesia. This may last up to a few hours. Once passed, there is generally no pain or discomfort from the tube(s) or the procedure.
• Follow the directions of the surgeon regarding the use of ear drops and/or antibiotics. These are not prescribed in all cases.
• Drainage, ranging from clear to bloody, is expected after surgery and is normal. If drainage persists for more than one week, please call the office.
• Ear infections still can occur even with tubes in place; however, this almost always is indicated by ear drainage rather than pain or fever.
• Recent studies have shown that ear plugs are not necessary for routine bathing or surface swimming. For older children that often swim underwater, custom ear molds are recommended. These are available through our office.
• Airplane flights are not a problem since an open ear tube does not allow unequal pressure to develop.
• A follow-up appointment needs to be scheduled in 2 weeks after the procedure. You may contact our office during regular business hours to schedule this appointment. Ear tubes should be checked routinely by any physician every 3-4 months until they have worked themselves out. We recommend prompt re-evaluation by our office for recurrent infections, drainage, or any question of hearing loss or speech/language development.