Postoperative advice for mastoid surgery-various aspects-
After mastoid surgery, essential postoperative guidelines include: maintaining an elevated head position, preventing water from entering the ear, refraining from forceful nose blowing, restricting strenuous activities, using antibiotic ointment on the incision area, and reaching out to your physician if you face substantial pain, fever, or excessive ear drainage.
If any patient of ENT requires any surgery, opd consultation or online consultation in clinic of ENT specialist Doctor Dr Sagar Rajkuwar ,he may contact him at the following address-
Prabha ENT clinic, plot no 345,Saigram colony, opposite Indoline furniture Ambad link road ,Ambad ,1 km from Pathardi phata Nashik ,422010 ,Maharashtra, India-Dr Sagar Rajkuwar (MS-ENT), Cel no- 7387590194 , 9892596635
Important points to keep in mind:
Head elevation:
Maintain a slight elevation of your head with pillows for the initial 24-48 hours to reduce swelling.
Ear protection:
Prevent water from getting into the ear canal; use a cotton ball with antibiotic ointment to safeguard the ear while showering.
Blowing your nose:
Refrain from forceful nose blowing for several weeks; use gentle sniffing instead.
Incision care:
Clean the incision location behind the ear using hydrogen peroxide and put on a thin layer of antibiotic ointment as instructed by your physician.
Activity restrictions:
Avoid lifting heavy objects, engaging in vigorous exercises, and bending over for at least 2 weeks.
Pain management:
Utilize prescribed pain medication as necessary.
Follow-up appointments:
Participate in scheduled follow-up visits with your doctor to assess healing and remove any packing.
Possible signs to be vigilant for and notify your doctor:
Increasing pain or swelling
Fever
Thick, yellow or green drainage from the ear
Dizziness or severe nausea
Facial weakness or numbness
Significant changes in hearing
1. Keep your head elevated by using several pillows while lying down for 2 weeks after surgery.
2. Refrain from blowing your nose until your doctor informs you that your ear has healed. Any secretions that accumulate in your nose may be drawn back into the throat and can be spat out if preferred. The nose may be softly dabbed with tissue paper. This is especially essential if you happen to catch a cold. You should adhere to this precaution for 4 weeks following surgery.
3. Do not attempt to “pop” your ears by plugging your nose and blowing air through the Eustachian tube into your ear.
4. Sneeze with your mouth open.
5. Until instructed by your doctor, do not let water enter your ear. The outer cap can be taken off 48 hours after surgery. You may shower 48 hours post-operation. When showering, put a small clean piece of cotton coated in Vaseline in your outer ear opening to prevent water from entering. If packing is present in your ear, this may be placed directly over the packing. Remove the cotton once the showering is finished.
6. After you’ve taken off the outer cap, clean the incision with hydrogen peroxide two times a day until it has healed. After cleansing, apply a small amount of Bacitracin or Neosporin to the incision. The stitches are dissolvable and will eventually fall out by themselves.
7. For three weeks after surgery, avoid bending or lifting heavy objects (over 20 pounds).
8. You might notice popping, clicking, or other sounds in your ear. Your ear may also feel congested. Occasional sharp shooting pains are common. At times, it may seem as if there is liquid in your ear.
9. You may drive once you are no longer feeling dizzy or fatigued and have stopped taking pain medication. Refrain from flying for 3-4 weeks.
Discharge Instructions for Mastoidectomy
You underwent a procedure known as mastoidectomy. This operation eliminates the mastoid bone, a bone you can feel situated behind the ear. Your health care provider may perform this operation if your mastoid bone is infected or to eliminate growths from the middle ear. Here’s what you should know about home care following surgery.
What to expect
Anticipate a small amount of drainage from the ear.
Don’t be concerned if the skin of your outer ear feels numb. This is a consequence of the surgery. The sensation should return within a few months.
Ear and incision care
Maintain your head slightly elevated for the first 24 hours after returning home.
Avoid any activities that cause your ears to pop. Don’t blow your nose or exhale with your nose pinched shut.
Sneeze with your mouth open.
Shower as necessary, starting three days after your operation, or as instructed by your health care provider. You can let water run over any external wounds, but do not scrub them.
Keep the ear dry. You can insert a cotton ball lightly coated with a small amount of petroleum jelly in the outer ear to prevent water from entering during a bath or shower.
Take your medication exactly as prescribed.
Activity
Refrain from engaging in any activities that involve heavy lifting and straining.
Obtain your health care provider’s permission before flying or swimming.
Inquire with your provider regarding when you may return to work. There may be specific considerations depending on your job type.
Follow-up care
Schedule follow-up appointments as directed by our staff. Your ear has special packing material inside. Portions of this material may need to be taken out at specific intervals.
When to call your doctor
Reach out to your health care provider immediately if:
There is increased redness or swelling surrounding the ear.
You feel light-headed or disoriented.
Unpleasant-smelling drainage is emanating from the ear or the incision.
You experience a persistent headache.
You suffer from double vision or blurred vision.
You have a fever of 100. 4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your health care provider.
You are experiencing bright red bleeding.
You find it hard to swallow.
You have facial droop.
What post-operative advice will you give after mastoid surgery?
Ear and incision care
Do not blow your nose or exhale with your nose pinched shut. Sneeze with your mouth open. Take showers as necessary, commencing 3 days after your surgery, or as instructed by your health care provider. You may let water flow over any external wounds, but do not scrub them.
What precautions should you take after ear surgery?
Refrain from engaging in intense sports and exercises, heavy lifting, and physical education activities for at least two weeks. The nose must not be blown for a duration of two weeks. Sneeze with your mouth open. It is acceptable for the sutures to become wet, but the ear canal should remain dry for several weeks.
What is the position after mastoidectomy?
Keep your head raised with multiple pillows while resting for 2 weeks after surgery. 2. Avoid blowing your nose until your physician has informed you that your ear has healed. Any built-up mucus in the nose can be pulled back into the throat and expectorated if desired.
What should I avoid after mastoid surgery?
Activity: Steer clear of heavy lifting and intense activity for two weeks. Refrain from allowing water in the ear!
