ENT CLINIC OUR DOCTORS MEDICAL LINKS POSTOP INSTRUCTIONS
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  Drs. Robinson and Smith   
  Coastal ENT Associates, PLLC   
  (228) 863 6617  
  3017 13th Street  
  Gulfport, MS 39501  

  entmd@ent-clinic.com   



The ENT Clinic of Gulfport, Mississippi



Postoperative Instructions Following PE Tube (Ear Tube) Insertion

This information is designed to answer questions about what to expect and what to do following PE Tube insertion.  Should you have questions not covered in these instructions or adverse events you need to report, please call our office number (228) 863 6617.  Calls for answers to routine questions should be made during our regular office hours.  For emergencies, a Coastal ENT physician is on call 24 hours a day/7 days a week and can be reached by calling our office number.

Before Leaving the Outpatient Surgery Center

Prior to discharge from the surgicenter, please check with your nurse and make sure you have a postop appointment scheduled.  The initial visit following PE Tube insertion is usually scheduled between 1 and 2 weeks after surgery.  Also ask If there are any medications or prescriptions you need.  In many cases no medication will be required following PE Tube insertion.  Tylenol or Ibuprofen should be adequate for any pain resulting from the surgery.  You should also receive a pair of ear plugs to protect the ears from water exposure. 

Sometimes, the ear will be acutely infected at the time of surgery and antibiotic drops may be prescribed.  These drops are usually antibiotic ear drops, but on occasion they may be antibiotic eye drops that are prescribed to use in the ears (That's right, eye drops to be used in the ears).  In addition, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed; this is more routine if a culture was obtained at the time of surgery.  TAKE YOUR MEDICATION AS DIRECTED ON THE PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE.

The Recovery Period

1) Some drainage should be expected the first 2 to 3 days following surgery.  This drainage is usually mucoid with streaks of blood.  If the drainge does not begin to slow after 2 to 3 days, please notify the office.

2) Please report any fever over 101 F, excessive pain, persistant drainage, or active bleeding to the office.

3) If you were told that a culture was obtained at the time of surgery, please call the office 2 days later for a report.  The antibiotics (oral and drops) may need to be changed per the result of this culture.

4) DO NOT ALLOW ANY WATER TO GET INTO THE EARS.  If water penetrates the PE Tubes, an infection can occur.  Use the earplugs you received prior to discharge, or use cotton coated with vaseline to protect the ears from water exposure.  Custom made earplugs can be made on your return visit if there is no drainage or swelling.  This precaution holds true for as long as the tubes are in the eardrums.

5) DO NOT PUT ANY DROPS INTO THE EARS that were not prescribed by a doctor that is aware that the patient has PE Tubes.  As a rule old prescriptions prior to PE Tube insertion SHOULD NOT BE USED.  Specifically, Auralgan and other ear drops made to numb the ear or reduce ear pain should not be used if the PE Tubes are in the eardrums.  Also avoid OTC drops such as Swimmer's Ear.

Photos of PE Tubes in the eardrum.
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