Paediatrics - Your child's day case Tympanoplasty procedure

Walk In Walk Out (WIWO) Unit

Ear, Nose and Throat surgery is carried out on our paediatric day case unit in the Walk In Walk Out (WIWO) Unit. This is a self- contained unit where admission, anaesthesia, surgery, recovery and discharge are carried out in the one area.
You will be asked to arrive on the unit at 07.30 am, where you will meet the nursing team who will be looking after you during your stay.

Once upstairs, you/your child will be asked questions regarding their health and fasting status. We will obtain your child’s weight and observations (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate) to ensure they are fit for surgery on the day. If your child has no allergies to the “magic cream” (numbing cream), this will be applied to the back of their hands and occasionally the inner elbow area too.

Thereafter, they will be seen by anaesthetists and surgeons who will ask similar questions like the ones asked on admission, all to ensure safety. Once you have been seen by the surgeons/ anaesthetists and consent form has been signed, there may be a small wait until your child goes to theatre. You will be able to accompany your child into the anaesthetic room. Once your child is asleep, you can wait in the waiting area or go off the department to get some fresh air/food.

The operating procedure can take between 30-90 minutes including anaesthetic and recovery times which can differ patient to patient which we will advise you of on the day.

Why does my child need a tympanoplasty?

If you have a perforation (hole) in the eardrum you may be advised to have a procedure called a tympanoplasty. The procedure repairs or reconstructs this hole otherwise known as your tympanic membrane which allows your hearing to be restored also. (Paediatric.ent 2010). The procedure sometimes includes the repair/reconstruction of the tiny bones behind the ear drum which work together for normal hearing (Paediatric.ent, 2010).

Tympanoplasty Aftercare

Your child may return from theatre with some packing in their ear which can be removed prior to discharge. Your child may feel dizzy/nauseous which can be helped with mobilising slowly throughout the day after their surgery.
Encourage your child to sneeze with their mouth open to reduce pressure in the ear and to chew/eat slowly. Avoid showering/ bathing for at least a day and thereafter place a cotton wool ball coated in petroleum jelly to repel water from entering the ear.

Signs of infection include:
●    High temperature
●    Foul smelling discharge from the ear
●    Swelling and redness around ear/face

Seek GP’s/Surgeons if any infections. Some children may require ear drops following surgery, but we will let you know prior to discharge if this is required and provide these. You can return to school after 7 days.

Sometimes you may need to be seen in an ENT clinic again for a hearing test and to conclude that surgery was successful.
If you are worried about your child and need any advice please ring 0161 627 8866.