Your child had a procedure called mastoidectomy. This is the surgical removal of the mastoid bone, which is behind the ear. A mastoidectomy is most often done to treat infection in the mastoid bone or surrounding tissue. Here's what you need to know about home care.
What to expect after surgery
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Dizziness
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Hearing problems
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Bloody or watery drainage
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Pain
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Loss of taste
Ear and incision care
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Give your child medicine exactly as directed.
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Keep your child’s head raised as instructed by the surgeon.
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Try to keep your child from blowing their nose. Don’t allow your child to hold their nose closed.
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Show your child how to sneeze with the mouth open.
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Follow instructions for bathing and caring for the incision.
Activity
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Make sure your child avoids activities that involve heavy lifting and straining.
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Talk with the health care provider before allowing your child to fly in a plane or swim.
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Ask your provider when your child may return to school.
Follow-up care
Make a follow-up appointment as advised. It's important to go to all follow-up appointments so the surgeon can make sure your child is healing well and has no problems.
When to contact your doctor
Unless advised otherwise by your child’s provider, call the provider right away if:
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Your child has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your provider (see Fever and children, below).
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There is continued or increased ear drainage.
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There is drainage that has an odor or is green or yellow.
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Your child has continued ear pain.
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Your child has pain, redness, or swelling behind the ear.
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Your child has hearing problems.
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Your child has weakness or numbness on the side of the face.
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Your child has continued dizziness.
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Your child's face droops.
Fever and children
Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:
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Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.
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Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.
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Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The provider may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.
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Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.
Use a rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel OK using a rectal thermometer, ask the provider what type to use instead. When you talk with any provider about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.
Below is when to call the provider if your child has a fever. Your child’s provider may give you different numbers. Follow their instructions.
When to call a provider about your child’s fever
For a baby under 3 months old:
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First, ask your child’s provider how you should take the temperature.
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Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
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Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher
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A fever of ___________as advised by the provider
For a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):
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Rectal or forehead: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
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Ear (only for use over age 6 months): 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
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A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider
In these cases:
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Armpit temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher in a child of any age
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Temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age
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A fever of ___________ as advised by the provider
