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Home | About | A-Z Clinics + Services | Health Info | Research | Patients | Visitors | Careers | Media | Donations + Charities |
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Ear Nose and ThroatMiddle Ear SurgeryDay of Admission and Discharge Information for patients and their familyIndications
Length of hospital stay Overnight Preparation for Surgery Please wash your child’s hair the day before their operation and if their hair is long please tie it up in a ponytail before coming to hospital. Your child’s anaesthetist will meet with you and your child before the operation to outline the type of anaesthesia to be used and will welcome any questions you may have. You will be asked to sign consent for your child's anaesthetic. A premedication may be ordered at this time. This usually takes the form of a medicine to be swallowed that will provide pain relief, sedation or both. If it is planned to start the anaesthesia by injection, local anaesthetic cream can be put on at this time to numb the area of skin where the intravenous needle / drip is to be put in. Length of procedure Your child will be away from you for approximately 1 - 2 hours. After the procedure Your child will have a bandage around their head, covering their ear. This bandage is to stay on until the next morning. Your child will be encouraged to rest in bed following their operation and to keep their head movement to a minimum - this will help your child feel less dizzy and nauseous. Nausea and Vomiting Your child may experience some nausea & vomiting after they return to the ward. Your child will return from theatre with an Intravenous Cannula (I.V. / drip) in their hand and may have been given anti-vomiting medication and I.V. fluids during the procedure. Further medication via. the I.V. may be required after their return to the ward. The nurse will remove this I.V. before your child goes home. Fluids and diet There is no need for a special diet following this operation, but it is recommended your child not eat greasy foods as these may cause vomiting. Your child will be offered a light diet in hospital when they are ready to eat. Pain Relief Paracetamol (Panadol) may be given 4-6 hourly if required for 24 hours after discharge. If your child's pain relief is not adequate please contact your family doctor. Follow up appointments An appointment to see the doctor will generally be advised prior to your child's discharge from hospital. Discharge Care The day after the operation your child will be seen by the doctor and their ear bandage will be removed (there may be some ear packing inside their ear) The nurse will cover your child's ear with a new small bandage. Please keep this new bandage dry - a shower cap may be used when your child showers / bathes. The bandage and ear packing needs to be kept in place until your child's follow up appointment. If your child pulls out the ear packing contact your -
To stop extra pressure on the eardrum following middle ear surgery, please ask your child not to blow their nose and to keep their mouth open when they sneeze for 1 week. Contact your family or private doctor if your child has any of the following symptoms -
Return to school and sport Your child will need to stay home from School / Childcare for 1-2 weeks. Your child should also avoid sport, rough play and plane travel during this time. If you have any other concerns after your child's discharge please telephone your child's -
In an emergency situation, please call an ambulance or take your child to the nearest doctor or hospital.
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