What post-operative / long term follow up care is required after atresia repair surgery?
After the patient has returned home, they will need to continue follow-up care with a qualified ENT. These arrangements should actually be made before the atresia repair surgery, as the post-surgery follow-up appointments may be difficult to schedule in a timely manner if the initial contact with the local ENT is made after the surgery has been completed
The first visit to the local ENT will be approximately 1 to 2 weeks after the final post-operative visit at CEI. At this visit, the doctor needs to remove the last of the gelfoam in the ear canal. The second visit to the local ENT should be 2 to 4 weeks after the first visit, and a microscopic cleaning should be performed to remove any additional debris. A hearing test can be performed after the second visit to the local ENT. Additional hearing tests should be performed at three month intervals during the first year of post operative care, more frequently if behavioral concerns or physical symptoms warrant it.
The newly created ear canal needs to be cleaned by an ENT using a microscope at regular intervals that generally once or twice a year. If the patient has any other chronic medical conditions or additional surgeries, the cleanings may need to be more frequent as this will cause wax (known as "cerumen") production to increase. California Ear Institute physicians work with other ENTs around the world for detailed post-operative follow-up. Only if serious complications arise will a patient have to return to our facility.
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