In the immediate post-operative recovery period, a liquid diet should be maintained. Patients may feel temporarily drowsy and nauseated from the anesthesia.
Diet: When liquids are tolerated satisfactorily, the diet may be advanced to a regular diet with no restriction on types of food.
Fever: A low-grade fever is common during the first several days after the operation. It is often associated with inadequate fluid intake and should be treated by increasing fluids and using Tylenol or Motrin type products. Please contact Dr. Bankaci immediately should the temperature rise above 102°.
Pain: There should be minimal discomfort on swallowing following an adenoidectomy. Ear pain can also occur after this surgery. This is usually referred pain and not related to the ears at all. Both Tylenol and Motrin can be used following adenoidectomy and placement of ear tubes. The ear tubes do not cause pain. A few children may be reacting to the increased hearing ability after tube insertion. "The loud noise feels different or hurts". Discomfort usually resolves within the first 24 hours after surgery.
Bleeding: Although bleeding following surgery is rare, it is the most common complication. If bleeding does occur it is most likely to occur in the first 24 hours following surgery. If bleeding is persistent, or vigorous, please contact Dr. Bankaci immediately.
Water Precautions: While the tubes are in place, the child should keep water out of the ears. No swimming is permitted unless custom ear molds are being used for surface swimming only. Swimming underwater and diving require the addition of a swim cap or Ear Bandit.
Ear Drainage: A small amount of drainage from the ear canal often accompanies insertion of tympanostomy tubes. The prescribed ear drops will treat this condition. If there is too much discharge, or if drainage persists after seven days, please call Dr. Bankaci. Ear drainage after the first week is ABNORMAL but not an emergency. The drainage can even contain some blood. It is often an indication that the tubes are "doing their job". Please call the office so we can help you with this symptom.
How Long Do The Tubes Stay In Place: The tubes remain in the eardrums for 6 to 18 months. They usually fall out into the ear canal. The eardrum heals completely in almost every case. When the tubes are extruded, they then lie in the ear canal and cause no problems, or may fall out by themselves (like a piece of wax). Rarely, do the tubes stay in place too long. In this case, they can be surgically removed. This is a similar procedure to insertion of tubes.
Bad Breath: It is very common for children to develop bad breath after an adenoidectomy. This is not a sign of infection. It is part of the body's normal healing process. The bad breath can last seven to fourteen days.
Activity: Your child may resume usual activities the following day in most cases. Some children do need a day or two more to recover from surgery and anesthesia. This is not atypical. "Every body is different."
Follow-up: A post-operative check-up should be scheduled for approximately TWO WEEKS after surgery.
If you have any further questions please contact Dr. Bankaci's office at 724-547-4575, 724-832-9688, or 724-863-5679.