Bechara Y. Ghorayeb, MD

8830 Long Point, Suite 806

Houston, TX 77055

Telephone: (713) 464 2614

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POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PE TUBES

(Myringotomy and Insertion of Tympanostomy (Pressure Equalizing) Tubes

Diet

Children or adults who have received general anesthesia may experience some nausea and occasionally, vomiting.  It is therefore preferable to eat a bland light meal or a liquid diet on the first day after the surgery.

Keep ears dry

1. Keep the ears dry.  Do not allow water to enter the ear after surgery.   Plug the ears with a cotton ball and vaseline petroleum jelly when showering or washing the hair. 

2. It is better not to swim or dive.  Although ear plugs and swim molds are available, they are not fool-proof.  These are available in all drugstores.   Custom swim molds may be purchased in our office.

3. If accidentally, the head is submerged in water or water enters the ear during a shower, use the antibiotic eardrops that were prescribed immediately after the surgery.

4. It is not unusual to see blood in the ear canal or on the cotton ball in the operated ears.

Medications

Eardrops are usually prescribed for 3 days after the surgery (Floxin, Ciprodex, Cortisporin or any other antibiotic eardrops, 3 drops 3 times a day, for 3 days).  Do not refrigerate eardrops.  Hold bottle in your hand for a few minutes to bring the eardrops to body temperature.  Cold eardrops  cause a brief but unpleasant vertigo.

Following the insertion of PE tubes, there isn't much pain.  Tylenol should suffice to control any discomfort.

Please note the following:

If you have ear drops from your pediatrician to be used for pain such as Auralgan, Tympagesic, or Americaine, please throw them away. These drops will burn the middle ear tissue while the tubes are in place.

The patient may experience a certain amount of pulsation, popping, clicking, and other sounds in the ear. A feeling of fullness or occasional sharp pain are not unusual in the early postopertive period. Tylenol should be sufficient for any discomfort.

Follow-up

Please call (713) 464 2614 to schedule a follow-up appointment in two weeks after surgery.

We are unable to refill your medications on weekends or after hours.

We do not refill painkiller prescriptions over the phone.

For prescription refills, please call during office hours:

               Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

               Friday: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

For more information and pictures, visit Dr. Ghorayeb's Website: http://www.ghorayeb.com