Myringotomy Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a myringotomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Failure of the myringotomy incision in the ear drum to heal as expected
• Hearing loss
• Injury to ear structures other than the ear drum
• Need for repeat surgery

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the ear
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
• Drainage from ear continues for more than four days after surgery
• Decreased hearing
• Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
• Any other new concerns

In case of an emergency, CALL 911immediately.