Removal of Grommet (Adult) – Advice Sheet

Patient Experience

  • Reference Number: HEY1071/2022
  • Departments: Day Surgery (DSU), ENT
  • Last Updated: 17 October 2022

Introduction

This advice sheet has been produced to give you information and advice about the removal of grommets (adult).   It is not meant to replace discussion between you and your doctor.  If after reading it, you require further explanation please discuss this with the relevant person who has been caring for you.

Your consultant is ____________________________

Surgery performed by _________________________

If you have any problems or need further advice please contact:

the ENT Ward at CHH. Telephone (01482) 674870 / 676707

Follow up

If the consultant needs to see you again as an outpatient, an appointment will follow in the post.

Work

You can return to normal activities 24 – 48 hours or as soon after this time that you feel you are ready.

After the Surgery

It is not unusual for a blood stained discharge to occur for two to three days after the procedure. If the discharge becomes excessive, yellow or you have increasing pain and feel unwell you should see your doctor as you may require antibiotics drops.

Pain relief

You may experience some pain following your procedure. We recommend you have some paracetamol and / or Ibuprofen available for when you get home. (Ibuprofen may not be suitable for asthmatics)

General Care

For about two weeks after the operation it is advisable when washing your hair, to gently plug the outer ear with cotton wool dipped in petroleum jelly.  Take care not to push the cotton wool deep into the ear canal.  When using cotton buds avoid cleaning inside the ear canal and only clean the outer visible part of the ear.  Cotton buds can be very damaging when used incorrectly.

Driving

You may not be insured to drive for 48 hours following a general anaesthetic.

After your operation

Should you need to visit your doctor with a problem relating to the operation within three weeks of the surgery, we would appreciate you contacting the ENT Ward at CHH. Telephone (01482) 674870 / 676707.  Please ask to speak to one of the nursing staff.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this advice sheet, please do not hesitate to contact the ENT Ward.

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment.  As part of your care, your information will be shared between members of the healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet.  Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service and to help with research.  Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health or social organisations that provide you with care.  All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it.  If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You. www.hey.nhs.uk/privacy/data-protection

If you or your carer needs information about your health and well-being and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.

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