Which of the following responses made by the parents of a child recovering from a myringotomy for acute otitis media would indicate the instruction provided on home management was effective?

Question

1. Ear irrigations should be placed on the wall of the external canal, and not on the tympanic membrane.
2. Air travel and sudden barometric shifts will not affect the surgical procedure.
3. Sterile cotton-tipped swabs can be used to clean the ear drainage.
4. Shampooing and swimming are not restricted after a couple of weeks.

Answer 1

2. Air travel and sudden barometric shifts will not affect the surgical procedure.

Rationale:
Air travel and sudden barometric shifts should not cause a pressure buildup, since the tubes are in place and pressure equalization between the middle ear and the atmosphere can occur through the myringotomy tubes. No ear irrigations should be given during the postoperative periods for a myringotomy. No water should be allowed to enter the external ear, since the fluid could enter the middle ear through the tubes and contaminate the middle ear. Even sterile swabs are not to be placed in the external canal after the myringotomy, because of the potential of dislodging the tubes as well as the potential for contamination into the middle ear. Shampooing, swimming, submerging in water, and getting water in the ear are contraindicated for several months (not weeks) due to the risk of water contamination into the middle ear.