Post-operative Otitis
Post-operative otitis is inflammation of the ear canal or middle ear that arises following surgery on the ear, mastoid, or nearby structures. It is a recognised complication across ENT units, including high-volume surgical centres. The ear’s warm, moist environment after packing or closure creates conditions where bacteria can take hold quickly.
Key points
- Surgery near the ear can leave behind a damp, warm setting where bacteria establish themselves quickly afterwards.
- Growing pain, redness around the wound, discharge and muffled hearing on the treated side tend to develop over the following days.
- One drug applied locally tackles the bacteria directly while a second calms swelling that would otherwise block drainage and slow recovery.
- Redness that spreads, pain that worsens or weakness affecting the face should prompt an immediate check by the surgeon involved.
Recognising and managing ear infection after surgery
Typical signs include increasing ear pain in the days after a procedure, localised redness or swelling at the operative site, purulent or watery discharge, and reduced hearing on the affected side. Fever may accompany more established infection.
Management centres on eliminating the bacterial cause while controlling the inflammatory response. Topical preparations containing ciprofloxacin address the infection directly in the canal, while dexamethasone reduces swelling that can impede drainage and delay healing. Keeping the ear dry, following wound-care instructions, and attending all follow-up appointments are equally important parts of recovery.
Worsening pain, spreading redness beyond the ear, or signs of facial weakness should be reviewed by the treating surgeon without delay.