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Patients with a history of stroke or heart
valves, often require anti-coagulation therapy and the pre-operative
cessation of these medications should be coordinated between the internist
and surgeon.
What
to Expect the Day of Ear Surgery
Pre-admission
Plan to be admitted to the hospital approximately two hours prior to surgery.
Those patients undergoing surgery at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (main telephone number 212-979-4000), should register in Admitting which is located on the first floor on main building at 310 East 14th Street (corner of 14th Street and 2nd Avenue).
All pre-operative testing, and paper work, will be in the Admitting Office and will accompany the patient to the Day Surgery Unit.
If the patient has pre-operative ear CT scan, these should be brought to the Day Surgery Unit and given to the nurses to convey to the surgeon.
Click here for a map, directions and parking for the
The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
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Day
Surgery Unit
While awaiting surgery, the patient will visit with their anesthesiologist, and discuss their medical history and prior anesthesia history. If the patient has a history of adverse reactions to anesthetics or other medications, it is essential to communicate this to the physicians and nurses.
All prior records are very helpful. While awaiting surgery, the nurses will review with the patient all pre-operative records, confirm the nature of the proposed surgery, and administer any required pre-operative medications.
As a safety precaution, both the nurses and physicians will repeat the same questions in both the Day Surgery Unit and operating room.
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Family
Members
Family members should wait for the patient on the same floor as the patient was admitted. For adults, this is usually the fifth or seventh floors, and the ninth floor for children. Please communicate to nursing where family members are waiting so that the surgeon can discuss with them the outcome of the operation and arrange follow-up care.
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Post-operative
Hospital Care
Most patients will be observed for two or more hours after surgery in the Day Surgery Unit. Patients must be alert, stable and capable of drinking clear liquids as minimum for discharge.
Prior to discharge, the nurses and physicians will observe the patient to insure that they are well and are properly prepared for discharge. Some patients are observed in the hospital overnight.
Patients are often discharged with a dressing around the head and your surgeon will discuss with you the arrangements to remove the dressing.
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Discharge
from Hospital
At discharge, the patient should have a prescription for all post-operative medications, know when to return to see their surgeon, know who to call in case of emergency (212-979-4200) and what to do after surgery.
These items will be discussed with the patient by nursing, and are reviewed under
What to Expect After Surgery. Patients should not drive themselves home, and should have arranged transportation.
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What
to Expect After Ear Surgery
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You will not be able to hear well out of the operated ear for around 4-6 weeks after the surgery. In some instances, the hearing may actually be worse than before surgery. You may hear your voice louder in that ear or you may hear noise, crackling, or popping.
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There may be some pain after the surgery. This will improve over 24-48 hours.
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You may have an altered sense of taste on the same side of surgery. This will resolve over the next few weeks.
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You will have packing inside the ear canal. This will remain in the ear until your surgeon takes it out.
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There may be some discharge from the ear
canal. You may want to keep a cotton ball in the ear for a few days, and change it as necessary.
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After the dressing comes off, the operated ear may stick out a little more than the other side. This will resolve over the next few weeks.
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You may have some mild imbalance or dizziness for a few days post-operatively. This will resolve.
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A low-grade fever (<101°F) is not uncommon.
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What
to Do After Ear Surgery
- You will have a prescription for Tylenol #3. Take 1 to 2 tablets every 4 hours as needed for pain. After 1-2 days, Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol should be sufficient.
- Take the antibiotic prescribed as directed for the full course. If you get diarrhea or a rash, contact your physician.
- Keep the ear dry. When taking a shower, put a cotton ball smeared with Vaseline in the ear canal to prevent water from getting in. You may take a shower after the dressing comes off.
- Do not strain, lift heavy objects, work-out, or blow your nose until your surgeon gives you permission. You cannot fly in an airplane for approximately 4-6 weeks after surgery.
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