Recovery guide
Myringoplasty Recovery Guide
Quick answer: After myringoplasty, hearing is usually muffled at first because of packing in the ear, and the ear may feel full or pop. Drainage is not expected, so call us if the ear drains. Most people go back to work or school the next day. Protect the repair: keep the ear completely dry, do not blow your nose forcefully, sneeze with your mouth open, and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity until your surgeon clears you.
What should I expect?
Myringoplasty repairs a hole in the eardrum through the ear canal, often using dissolvable packing or a synthetic graft, and sometimes a small piece of your own tissue. There is no incision behind the ear. Afterward, expect:
- A sore ear for the first few days.
- Hearing that is worse at first, with ear fullness and popping sounds. This comes from the packing in the ear.
- Mild dizziness for the first few days.
Drainage from the ear is not expected. If your ear drains, call us.
How do I keep the ear dry?
Keep the ear completely dry until your surgeon clears you, usually at least 1 month. This protects the repair while it heals.
- You may shower 24 hours after surgery. Place a cotton ball just outside the ear canal and coat the outside of it with Vaseline to keep water out.
- Do not swim, bathe, or put your head under water until your surgeon clears you.
- Do not remove any packing from the ear canal, and be careful when removing the cotton ball.
- Do not use cotton swabs (Q-tips) in the ear.
What if I have a small incision?
If a small piece of cartilage was taken for the repair, you will have a small incision on the tragus: the small flap at the front of your ear, just in front of the ear canal opening. Apply antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin) to it twice a day, and do not pick at it or remove any skin glue.
How should I manage pain?
Take pain medicine as needed. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or both are fine.
When can I get back to normal?
- After myringoplasty, most people can go back to work or school the next day.
- No heavy lifting or strenuous activity until your surgeon clears you, usually at least 1 month. This keeps the repair in place.
- Do not blow your nose forcefully.
- If you need to sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open, so the pressure escapes through your mouth instead of pushing on the repair.
- If your nose is stuffy, do not try to clear it by blowing. Use nasal saline spray instead.
- Follow these steps until your surgeon confirms at your follow-up visit that the ear has healed.
When should I call?
Call us for
- Any drainage from the ear
- Bleeding from the ear that does not stop
- A fever over 101°F that does not go away
- Severe dizziness or vertigo that does not go away
- Ear pain or headaches that get worse or become severe
Call 911 or go to the ER for
Sudden weakness or drooping of the face, or constant dizziness with trouble walking.
Austin 512-339-4040 · Lakeway 512-682-4798 · Marble Falls 830-992-2830
Questions patients ask
Packing in the ear muffles sound at first and can cause fullness and popping. This is expected while the ear heals.
No. Drainage is not expected after myringoplasty. If your ear drains, call us.
Until your surgeon clears you, usually at least 1 month. Shower with a cotton ball coated with Vaseline just outside the ear canal, and do not swim or put your head under water.
Do not blow your nose forcefully. Sneeze with your mouth open so pressure does not push on the repair, and treat a stuffy nose with nasal saline spray rather than by blowing. Follow this until your surgeon confirms the ear has healed.
Most people can go back to work or school the next day. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity until your surgeon clears you, usually at least 1 month.
This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace an in-person evaluation. If your surgeon gave you different instructions, follow theirs.
Full guide: capitalent.com/myringoplasty-recovery.html