Tympanostomy tubes Open pop-up dialog box Close. Tympanostomy tubes Ear tubes tympanostomy tubes, ventilation tubes, pressure equalization tubes are tiny cylinders, usually made of plastic or metal, that are surgically inserted into the eardrum. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Ear tubes. Accessed Feb. Isaacson GC. Overview of tympanostomy tube placement, postoperative care, and complications in children.
Flint PW, et al. Acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. Elsevier; Mayo Clinic; Otitis media Chronic suppurative. Merck Manual Professional Version. Black SA, et al. General anesthesia in neonates and children: Agents and techniques. Gropper MA.
Pediatric anesthesia. In: Miller's Anesthesia. Preparing for surgery: Kids' checklist. American Society of Anesthesiologists. Anesthesia and your child: The day of the procedure. American Academy of Pediatrics. The surgeon will place a small tube into the hole in the eardrum, allowing air to flow into the middle ear. This will also prevent fluid from building up. After the 10 to minute procedure, the child will be monitored for possible complications from the surgery or anesthesia.
Most parents can bring their child home a few hours after the surgery. The tube usually falls out on its own as the eardrum heals. The tube will generally stay in the ear anywhere from 6 to 18 months, depending on the type of tube used. Successfully draining fluid from the middle ear offers these benefits:. Myringotomy is generally considered safe and low risk. But just like any other surgery, some complications can occur.
Risks include:. Although ear tube surgery is quite common it is the most common outpatient surgery performed on children in the United States, per meps. Antibiotics are typically used to treat bacterial ear infections. Ear tubes can also be used to help children who experience hearing loss due to fluid build-up, even if they don't experience ear infections. While ear tubes may reduce the number of ear infections, they don't stop infections completely. If your child does get an ear infection, there will be ear drainage and antibiotic ear drops can treat the infection.
Ear drops are more effective and have fewer side effects than oral antibiotics. Children with ear tubes can use these drops, a major benefit of ear tube surgery. While ear tubes are not medically necessary, they can help relieve the pain of middle ear infections and make those infections easier to manage.
Your child does not have to be a particular age for ear tubes. They may be infants or teens and still benefit from ear tubes. Surgery to place ear tubes called a myringotomy is a minute outpatient surgery that is performed under general anesthesia.
Most children are back to normal by evening and can go back to school or daycare the next day. Parents can expect ear drainage for a week after surgery and will be given antibiotic ear drops to use for one week after surgery.
Ear tubes typically stay in place for six months to a year before falling out on their own. Once ear tubes fall out, your child may need another set placed if they still experience frequent ear infections. However, they may also be fine without ear tubes. If the ear tubes don't fall out, your doctor may let them stay in place for a few years before removing them.
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