Tympanoplasty Recovery Guide

What should I expect?

Tympanoplasty repairs a hole in the eardrum with a graft (a small patch, usually of your own tissue). Many are now done through the ear canal with a small camera (an endoscope), with no incision behind the ear. Afterward, expect:

• A sore ear for the first few days, and a sore incision if you have one.
• Hearing that is worse at first, with ear fullness and popping sounds. This comes from the packing in the ear.
• Mild drainage. Place a cotton ball at the ear opening to catch it as needed.
• Mild dizziness for the first few days.

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 graft 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.

How do I care for the incision?

• If an ear shield was placed, leave it in place for 24 hours.
• If you have an incision behind the ear, apply antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin) to it twice a day.
• Do not pick at the incision or remove any skin glue.

How should I manage pain?

Most people have mild to moderate pain that over-the-counter medicine controls well. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen together work better than either one alone.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): 1,000 mg every 6 hours, no more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours (or 3,000 mg if your package says so, or if you have liver problems or drink alcohol regularly).
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): 400 mg every 8 hours with food, or naproxen (Aleve): 1 tablet (220 mg) every 8 to 12 hours with food, no more than 3 tablets in 24 hours. Skip them if you have a stomach ulcer or kidney disease, or if your surgeon told you not to take them.
• If we prescribed medicine, take it exactly as directed.
• If you take aspirin or a blood thinner, follow your surgeon’s instructions on when to restart it.

When can I get back to normal?

• If you had sedation or general anesthesia: for 24 hours, do not drive, drink alcohol, use machinery or sign important papers. After general anesthesia, we recommend having an adult stay with you the first night.
• No heavy lifting or strenuous activity until your surgeon clears you, usually at least 1 month. This keeps the graft 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 graft.
• 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.

What these limits mean: heavy lifting means anything over about 10 pounds (a gallon of milk weighs about 8), such as a full laundry basket, a case of water or a suitcase. Strenuous activity means anything that makes you breathe hard, strain or sweat: running, weight training, yard work, hard cycling or sports. Walking, light housework, desk work and showering are fine. When the limit ends, start at about half your usual effort and build up over a week; if bleeding starts, stop and rest.

When should I call?