Correction of Prominent Ear. Surgical Day Care PIAG 03

Information for parents and carers

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Correction of Prominent Ear – PIAG 03 (137kB pdf)

Introduction

Most children appear to be alert and active after they are discharged from hospital. However do not be surprised if your child complains of feeling dizzy or being tired. Your child may feel dizzy and uncoordinated for the next couple of days.

For the next 24 hours

You should encourage your child to rest

• You should make sure your child’s activities are supervised by a responsible adult
• Do not let your child ride a bike
• Do not let your child take part in any outdoor activities
• Do not give your child any fizzy drinks
• Do not give your child hard to digest foods such as chips, burgers.
• Your child may complain of having a sore throat, hoarseness, muscle ache, or pain following an anaesthetic. You can give your child paracetamol. Do not exceed the recommended dosage for your child’s age

All advice regarding medicines will be given to you when your child is discharged.

What to do if your child starts to vomit

If your child vomits on the way home or when you get home, do not be alarmed. Do not give your child anything to eat or drink for 1 hour. After that, you can start giving your child a small amount of water or juice. Then gradually start to increase the amount of fluid you give to your child. Once your child can keep fluids down you can begin to give them a light diet.
If the vomiting continues, please contact your GP out of hour’s telephone number or your nearest Accident & Emergency Department.

What to do when your child goes home

If required you will have been given an appointment to bring your child back to the clinic to have any bandages, glue or stitches removed This is usually about ten days after the operation.
If your child has had glue as a dressing and no bandages, they may start having showers from the day after surgery. If your child has bandages, they must be kept dry and they will not be able to shower. Your child should not attend school or play outside before that date.

Contact the hospital immediately:

If your child has any bleeding from their ears.

• If your child complains of pain and the pain relieving medicine is having little or no effect.
• If the bandages start to move.
• If the glue comes away, your child may wear a wide, stretchy headband until the dressing clinic appointment.

After your child’s dressings have been removed

• Your child should wear bandages, or a wide headband, overnight for a month to prevent him
  or her scratching the stitch line and to prevent the ears from being turned forward.
• Your child’s ears should be left uncovered during the day.
• Your child’s hair may be washed once the dressings have been removed. Ensure that you
  dry carefully behind your child’s ears with a soft towel or piece of cotton wool.
• Your child’s hair should be brushed or combed carefully, trying not to catch their ears.
• Your child may return to school, but must refrain from sporting activities for two months after
  removal of dressings.
• Your child may go swimming, but they must dry behind their ears thoroughly.

Who to contact for further information

If you are worried about anything, please contact Burns Unit.
Tel: 0151-252-5400 (open 24hours)

This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.

This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.

PIAG: 03