Determining the Role of Time in Removing Mastoid Pressure Bandages after Tympanoplasty or Tympanomastoidectomy

Background: mastoid pressure dressing (mpd) has been commonly used by otolaryngologists from 1960 as a post-operative care after mastoid or middle ear surgeries. mpd may be removed after the first day or 5 days after the surgery but it is not clear whether early or late removal is associated with less side effects. to clarify the optimal time of mpd removal, we conducted this prospective study. methods: a total of 56 patients, including 19 males and 37 females with the mean age of 38.23±15.9 years, were included in this study. among these, 31 patients underwent early mpd removal (after one day) and for the other 25 patients, mpd was removed five days following the surgery, tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy. results: there was no significant difference between the two groups in gender distribution or mean age. in addition, no significant betweengroup difference was detected in developing hematoma and sleep disturbance, but patients with late mpd removal showed higher rates of headache and erythema. conclusion: current study suggests that mpd may be removed as soon as possible after the surgery due to its side effects inducing headache and irritation.