Post-operative Care Information

When having surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center or Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital, patients will be provided with details on where to stay and if they may be required to stay overnight following surgery. If you have questions about planning for surgery, please contact the Microtia and Atresia Clinic at: MicrotiaAtresiaClinic@VUMC.org or by phone at:  615-343-6166.

Soft Tissue Repair
Soft tissue repair surgery is typically an outpatient procedure and can be achieved in a one or two stage procedure. Expect to have a couple of follow-up office visits to make sure the ear is healing well.
• An ear dressing should be worn on the ear following surgery.
• Avoid taking showers or baths and avoid getting water on the ear during the first week.
• Avoid sleeping on the reconstructed ear for at least one week.

Rib Graft Surgery
Depending on your child’s age, Rib Graft surgery requires two to four separate stages over the course of six months to one year before a cartilage ear is complete. An overnight stay in the hospital is required during the first stage of surgery. Expect to schedule appointments for each of the stages of surgery. Following each stage of surgery, the ear will require a three month period to heal and recover before going on to the next stage. Expect to have a couple of follow-up office visits to change the bandages and check on healing. When planning for Rib Graft reconstruction, we want you and your child to be prepared and as comfortable as possible. The following items will come in handy during your stay for surgery:
• Button-up or zip-up shirts and PJs.
• A skull cap to cover and help protect the ear during the first month.
• Dry shampoo for hair.
• A variety of snacks.
• Avoid going in pool water and hot tubs until the ear is fully healed.
• Do not use straws for 2-3 weeks.
• As the ear heals, you will notice how quickly it begins developing definition during each stage over the year-long process.
• Avoid sleeping on the reconstructed ear during the healing process.

Medpor Surgery
Medpor surgery may require an overnight stay; your surgeon will inform you of this decision ahead of time. When planning for Medpor surgery, we want you and your child to be prepared and as comfortable as possible. The following items will come in handy during your stay for surgery:
• Button-up or zip-up shirts and PJs.
• A skull cap to cover and help protect the ear during the first month.
• Dry shampoo for hair.
• A variety of snacks.
• Expect to have a couple of follow up office visits to change the bandages and check on healing.
• If you are coming from across the country or overseas, expect to stay in Nashville for three weeks. There will be several postoperative visits in that time period. Our Microtia and Atresia clinic staff will help you with accommodations.
• A mold made by your surgeon will need to be worn behind the ear for 4-6 weeks, primarily at nighttime.
• Try to sneeze with your mouth open rather than through your nose.
• Apply moisturizing ointment to the ear and incisions three times daily.
• After a month, be sure to apply sunscreen to the ear whenever going outside for long periods of time.
• As the ear heals, you will notice how it begins developing definition and normal color.
• Avoid taking showers or baths and avoid getting water in the ear for the first three weeks.
• Avoid sleeping on the reconstructed ear for the first four weeks.
*  Same for CAM prodecures.

Canalplasty/Atresia Repair
Atresia repair is typically an outpatient procedure and the patient is not required to stay overnight at the hospital. If an overnight stay is necessary, Dr. Rivas will inform you. When planning for Atresia repair surgery, we want you and your child to be prepared and as comfortable as possible. Expect to have a couple of follow-up office visits to determine how well the canal is healing and how well hearing has been restored. The following items will come in handy during your stay for surgery:
• Button-up or zip-up shirts and PJs.
• A skull cap to cover and help protect the ear during the first month.
• Dry shampoo for hair.
• A variety of snacks.
• Avoid going in pool water and hot tubs until the ear canal is fully healed and cleared by Dr. Rivas.
• Do not use straws for 2-3 weeks.
• Sneeze with mouth open.
• Do not blow your nose.
• Avoid sleeping on the reconstructed ear, especially for CAM procedures, for the first 2-4 weeks.
*  Same for CAM procedures.

Prosthetic Ears
When being fitted for a prosthesis, there are stages for creating a new prosthetic ear and they are:  taking the impression of the ear, sculpting the ear, coloring the ear, and then delivering the ear to the patient.  Expect to have three appointments over a 2 week period.
• Try not to sleep on the prosthetic ear and remove each night.
• It is very important that the prosthesis is cared for properly, cleaned, and maintained.

To make an appointment, e-mail us at:   MicrotiaAtresiaClinic@VUMC.org or call ph:  615-343-6166.