Vincent Cumberworth BSc FRCS Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon

Clementine Churchill Hospital Sudbury Hill Harrow Middlesex HA1 3RX
Private Secretary: Tel: 020 8872 3866 Fax: 0208872 3861

Information is supplied only upon the condition that the viewer will make their own determination as to the suitability of the information for its purposes prior to use. There will be no responsibility for information that is misused or misinterpreted and the information should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a health care professional. It is not possible to answer questions regarding individual cases or to enter into individual correspondence.

DISCHARGE ADVICE FOLLOWING MAJOR EAR SURGERY

1. Your hair can be washed once the sutures have been removed. A small piece of cotton wool, gently placed in the entrance to the ear canal, and perhaps smeared with Vaseline, should be used to prevent water entering the ear.

2. If you have a pack in your ear, the cotton wool plug should be changed only if necessary, otherwise leave untouched. A nurse will show you what to do before you go home. There may be a slight discharge through the pack – if this discharge becomes offensive or copious, contact the hospital or your surgeon’s secretary.

NB It is very important NOT to remove all the pack if you find it has started to fall out. If necessary, cut away the part of the pack that has fallen away and gently push the excess back into the ear canal. Do not remove more than necessary and contact your surgeon, the hospital or your general practitioner.

3. Take all possible steps to avoid violent nose blowing and sneezing as this will affect the middle ear pressure and can affect the graft. The nose can be blown very gently, one side at a time.

4. Avoid areas where there is likely to be a change in atmospheric pressure i.e. aeroplane or underground.

5. Avoid water sports until the surgeon has given his/her approval.

6. To reduce the chance of an upper respiratory tract infection, which could spread to the middle, avoid public places or elsewhere where there are large groups of people, or any person who has such an infection.