What Are the Post-Operative Considerations After Tympanic Membrane Repair?

In daily life, people usually take good care of their ears. However, due to accidents or issues such as otitis media, eardrum perforation may occur. To improve this condition, timely tympanic membrane repair surgery is required. Effective post-operative care should be followed according to doctor's advice to prevent infections, bleeding, and other complications. Therefore, it is important to understand the post-operative care instructions for tympanic membrane repair surgery to ensure the full recovery of the ear.

Post-Operative Care Instructions for Tympanic Membrane Repair Surgery

1. Strictly follow the doctor's instructions for medication

After tympanic membrane repair, there is a risk of infection. Therefore, it is crucial to take the prescribed medications as instructed by the doctor. This not only prevents wound infections and promotes the growth of the tympanic membrane but also protects the nerves of the inner ear and prevents hearing loss.

2. Schedule follow-up visits as advised by the doctor

After tympanic membrane repair, there will be packing material inside the ear canal to facilitate better growth of the repaired membrane. However, this packing material must be removed after a week, and it is essential to follow the doctor's instructions and visit the hospital for removal.

3. Avoid forcefully blowing your nose

The nasal cavity and the middle ear are closely connected through the Eustachian tube. Forcefully blowing your nose may cause nasal secretions to enter the middle ear, which can affect the success rate of tympanic membrane surgery.

4. Keep your ears dry

Special attention should be paid when washing hair or taking a shower after surgery. It is essential to keep the ears clean and dry, preventing water from entering the ears, as this may lead to infection. Swimming or diving is also not recommended for a short period after surgery.

5. Protect the eardrum

Flying can exert significant pressure on the eardrum, potentially causing eardrum perforation. Therefore, patients should avoid flying for a short period after surgery.

6. Avoid sneezing

After tympanic membrane repair surgery, it is important to stay warm and avoid catching a cold. Patients with allergic rhinitis should be cautious about allergies, as violent sneezing may also affect the repair of the tympanic membrane.

7. Avoid noisy environments

After tympanic membrane repair surgery, it is advisable to rest and avoid noisy, chaotic environments. The tympanic membrane needs time to heal, so patients should pay close attention to postoperative care. If there is any discharge from the wound, it may indicate infection, and timely follow-up with the doctor is necessary. Additionally, patients should avoid forcefully sneezing or blowing their noses and ensure that water does not enter their ears. Flying and swimming are also best avoided for a short period.