Sinus/Ear Infections

My husband appears to have chronic ear and sinus infections.  Four years ago he had maxillofacial surgery whereby an ameloblastoma removed from his lower jaw.  It projected up into the sinus area on one side of his face and his sinuses were also removed as well as four teeth.  His palate never healed and so he wears a prosthetic device called an "obturator" to cover the "hole which allows him to speak and eat better.  However, he seems to have constant ear and sinus infections as well as expectorant in his lungs causing a lot of coughing and at times, discomfort breathing.  He has a prescription - Ciprodex Otic Suspension - that he is able to "drop" into the ear cavity and it helps greatly with that part of the body.  We know the problem stems from the "issue" of the sinus cavity - any ideas on how we can better help him?

[Eric P Wilkinson, MD]

His Eustachian tubes might also have been scarred from the surgery, causing him to have ear fluid or other problems.  In therms of the sinuses, patients like your husband tend to benefit from removing the obturator and using saline irrigations 2-3 times per day.  It is important to be very aggressive with this cleaning as crusting can build up an cause infections.  See your ENT for cleaning frequently also.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!