Surgery Overview
Ear tubes are plastic and shaped like a
hollow spool. Doctors suggest tubes for children who have repeat ear infections
or when fluid stays behind the eardrum. A specialist () places the tubes through a small
surgical opening made in the eardrum (myringotomy or tympanostomy). The child
is unconscious under
for this surgery.
View
a to see the steps that
are performed.
Tubes can help with ear infections because
they:
- Allow air to enter the
.
- Allow fluid to flow out of the middle ear through the
tube into the ear canal.
- Clear fluid from the middle ear and
restore hearing.
- Prevent future buildup of fluid in the middle ear
while they are in place.
- Decrease the feeling of pressure in the
ears, which reduces pain.
What To Expect After Surgery
Tubes can be inserted in an outpatient
surgery clinic. Children usually recover quickly and have little pain or other
symptoms after surgery. Children can usually go home within 1 to 2 hours after
the surgery. Your child will probably be able to return to school or child care
the next day.
Follow-up visits to the doctor after a child has
tubes inserted are very important. The doctor checks to see whether the tubes
are working and whether the child's hearing has improved.
While
the tubes are in place, the child needs to take extra care. Keep water from
getting in the ear when your child takes a bath or a shower or goes swimming.
The ear could get infected if any germs in the water get into the ear. If your
doctor says it’s okay, your child may use earplugs. Or your doctor may have
other advice for you. He or she can tell you when the hole in the eardrum has
healed and when it’s okay to go back to regular water activities.
Tubes normally remain in the ears for 6 to 12 months. They often fall out
on their own. If the tubes don't fall out on their own, your child may need
surgery to remove them. After the tubes are out, watch your child for signs of
ear infection or fluid behind the eardrum.
Why It Is Done
Placing tubes in the ears drains the
fluid and ventilates the middle ear. Tubes may keep
from recurring while the tubes are in
place. They also keep fluid from building up behind the eardrum. Doctors
consider surgery to insert tubes: