Health Literacy in Pediatrics - McMaster Pediatrics Residency Program

Caring for your child after ear surgery, page 2 of 2ActivityMost children are usually up and about within a few hours of surgery.Your child may return to school after 7 days, if he or she can be careful orsupervised during playground activities.For 4 weeks after surgery, your child should not go swimming or do anyactivity in which the ear might be bent, such as wearing a hat or helmet.When does my child need a follow-up visit?Your child needs to see the surgeon in 1 to 2 weeks. Make this appointmentbefore you go home.When should I call the doctor?Call the surgeon if your child has any of the following problems:your child feels ill or has a fever (temperature higher than 38.5°C (101.3°F)bleeding or drainage (discharge) through the bandage or dressingredness or swelling around the incisionspain that does not go away or seems to be getting worseunable to eat or drink as usualnausea or vomitingSurgeon: _______________________ Phone: _______________________After hours or on the weekend, call the hospital and ask to speak to the PlasticSurgeon or the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon on-call.If you are not able to reach the doctor, bring your child to the nearest hospitalemergency room.For questions that are not urgent, please callyour family doctor or pediatrician.