A systematic review was performed to evaluate the role and effectiveness of head bandages after routine elective middle-ear surgery.

Studies that compared the effectiveness of head bandage use after elective middle-ear surgery (e.g. myringoplasty, mastoidectomy and cochlear implantation) were identified using the following databases: Ovid Medline and Embase, the Ebsco collections, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar. An initial search identified 71 articles. All titles and abstracts were reviewed. Thirteen relevant articles were inspected in more detail; of these, only five met the inclusion criteria. These included three randomised, controlled trials, one retrospective case series and one literature review.

The three randomised, controlled trials (level of evidence 1b) showed no statistically significant differences in post-operative outcomes (in terms of complications) associated with head bandage use in middle-ear surgery. This finding was supported by the retrospective case series involving patients undergoing cochlear implantation.

Current available evidence shows no advantage of head bandage use after middle-ear surgery. Head bandages may not be required after routine, uncomplicated middle-ear surgery.

It is common practice to use head bandages for 7–10 days following pinnaplasty. However, head bandages are often troublesome for patients and can lead to serious complications.

A systematic review was performed to evaluate the use of head bandages after pinnaplasty. A search of Medline, Embase (Ovid) and CINAHL (EBSCO collections), the Cochrane Library, Pubmed (US National Library of Medicine) and Google Scholar identified 34 related articles. Of these, 14 were deemed relevant and 2 randomised controlled trials, 1 cohort study, 3 case series and 1 literature review met the inclusion criteria.

The two randomised controlled trials show no statistically significant difference in complications when a head bandage was used for the standard 7–10 days, for 24 hours or not at all. The three case series show that using a head bandage for 24 hours or not at all are safe alternatives. The review article recommended that when head bandages are applied after pinnaplasty it should be for the shortest duration possible.

Based on the available evidence, not using a head bandage at all or using one for a maximum of 24 hours following pinnaplasty is recommended.

We question the need for packing of the ear canal after ear surgery. For several years, it had not been the first author's standard practice to use post-operative ear packing. During this period, few problems or complications had been encountered.

Tertiary referral, academic, paediatric hospital.

A retrospective review of all children who had undergone major ear surgery in our unit over the last year was carried out. These cases represented a full range of otological procedures. Post-operative complications and infections in the first six post-operative weeks were recorded.

A total of 135 ears were operated upon in 107 patients ranging in age from 11 months to 19 years (mean 9.5 years). During this time period, eight children (7.5 per cent) developed a post-operative ear infection. No cases of tympanic or meatal granulations, problems with the tympanomeatal flap, or meatal stenosis were encountered. All infections were successfully managed with topical antibiotics.

We conclude that packing after ear surgery may be safely abandoned. This would not only save valuable operating time, but would also obviate the need for pack removal, always a source of discomfort and anxiety. This is especially important in children, who may subsequently require a further general anaesthesia in order to remove the pack.