Caring for Your Child After Ear Tube Removal and Patch Placement
What to do
- Your child can take part in normal activity, as he feels able. If your child is in daycare, he can return to it the day after the procedure.
- Diet. Your child may feel sick to his stomach from the anesthesia. Start your child on clear liquids and advance to solid food as his stomach can handle it. If your child has nausea or vomiting, start over with clear liquids.
- Give Children’s Tylenol® (acetaminophen) for pain relief or fever. Follow the directions on the package.
- Use dry ear protection for 1 month. Use ear putty to keep water out of the ears until your follow up appointment with the doctor.
- No nose blowing for 1 month. If your child’s nose is runny just have him wipe it with a tissue instead of blowing.
- No airplane travel for 1 month.
- Your child should try to sneeze and cough with his mouth open for 1 month. Doing this will reduce the amount of pressure placed on the healing eardrum.
- Your doctor also suggests_____________________________________
___________________________________________________
Follow-up
Your child will be scheduled for a follow-up visit at the ENT Clinic about 1 month after the tube removal.
When to call your child’s doctor or clinic nurse
Call one of the phone numbers below if your child has:
- Nausea or vomiting that won’t go away.
- Fever over 101°F (when taken by mouth).
- Ear drainage or discomfort.
- If you have any suspicion that your child is not recovering as well as he should.
Phone Numbers
Pediatric Otolaryngology Clinic: (608) 265-7760, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
After clinic hours and weekends: The above number will give you the paging operator. Ask for the ENT doctor on call. Leave your name, area code, and phone number. The doctor will call you back shortly.
If you are calling from outside of Madison, call toll free at 1-800-323-8942
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 01/04/2011
Copyright © 01/04/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6070
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