Meatoplasty (Ear)

How to say it

mee-AT-oh-plas-tee

Preparing for surgery

Prepare for the procedure as you have been directed. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines. It also includes vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. You may need to stop taking some or all of them before surgery as directed by your doctor. Also tell your doctor about allergies you have. Follow any directions you’re given for not eating or drinking before surgery.

The day of surgery

The surgery takes about 1 to 2 hours. You’ll likely go home on the same day. Before the surgery begins:

• An I.V. (intravenous) line is put into a vein in your arm or hand. This line supplies fluids and medicines.

• You’ll be given medicine (anesthesia) to keep you free of pain during the surgery. You may be given general anesthesia. This allows you to comfortably sleep during the surgery. Another choice may be to give you sedation, which makes you relaxed and sleepy. In this case, local anesthesia is used to numb the area being worked on.

During the surgery

Here is what to expect during the surgery:

• Incisions are made in and around the ear canal. Then tissue is removed or rearranged to make the ear opening larger.

• The ear canal is filled with antibiotic ointment or fluid. This helps prevent infection. A special kind of dressing (packing) may also be placed in the ear canal.

After the surgery

You’ll be taken to the PACU (postanesthesia care unit) to be checked on as you wake up from the anesthesia. You’ll be given medicines to manage pain and prevent infection. If you have packing inside the ear canal, you may have trouble hearing out of that ear. This is not a sign of a problem. Be aware that you may have some dizziness after the surgery. This can last for a few days. When it’s time for you to be released from the hospital, have an adult caretaker ready to drive you.

Recovering at home

Once at home, follow any special directions you are given. Make sure to:

• Take all medicines as directed. These may include eardrops and ear ointment.

• Care for your incision and packing as directed.

• Place a clean cotton ball dabbed with a small amount of petroleum jelly in the outer ear before you bathe or shower. This helps keep your ear dry. Remove the cotton ball when you’re done bathing or showering.

• Don't drive, climb stairs, or stand on ladders until any dizziness has passed.

• Don't do any heavy lifting or strenuous activities for at least 2 weeks, or as directed by your doctor.

• Don't swim, fly in a plane, or travel in the mountains until your doctor says it’s okay.

When to contact your doctor

Be sure you know how to contact your doctor. After you get home, contact your doctor right away if you have:

• A fever of 100.4° F ( 38° C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.

• Bright red bleeding or foul-smelling drainage from your ear (some pink-tinged drainage may be normal).

• Increased redness or swelling around the ear.

• Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting that gets worse.

• Pain that can't be controlled with medicines.

Call 911

Call 911 or get immediate medical care if you have:

• Chest pain or trouble breathing.

Follow-up

During follow-up visits, your doctor will check your healing. If your stitches or packing need to be removed, this may be done in about 7 to 10 days.

Risks and possible complications

Risks of this procedure include:

• Bleeding or a collection of blood under the skin (hematoma).

• Infection.

• Dizziness.

• Ringing in the ear.

• Scarring and other healing problems (these may need more surgery to repair).

• Narrowing of the opening to the ear canal.

• Risks of anesthesia.