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How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll receive instructions from the hospital on how to prepare your child for surgery to place ear tubes.
Information you'll likely be asked to provide includes:
- All medications your child takes regularly
- Your child's history or family history of adverse reactions to anesthetics
- Known allergy or other negative reactions to medications, such as antibiotics
Questions you should ask your doctor or the hospital staff:
- When does my child need to start fasting?
- What drugs can he or she take before surgery?
- When should we arrive at the hospital?
- Where do we need to check in?
- What is the expected recovery time?
- How will the anesthesia be administered — with a face mask, injection or intravenous (IV) line?
Tips for helping your child prepare include the following:
- Start talking about the hospital visit a few days before the procedure.
- Explain that the procedure will help make his or her ears feel better or make it easier to hear.
- Explain that a special medicine will help him or her sleep during the surgery.
- Let your child pick out a favorite comfort toy, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, that you can take to the hospital.
- Explain that you will be there during the procedure.
References
- Ear tubes. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Ear-Tubes.cfm. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Klein JO. Acute otitis media in children: Prevention of recurrence. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Klein JO. Otitis media with effusion (serous otitis media) in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Academy of Pediatrics Subcommittee on Otitis Media with Effusion. Otitis media with effusion. Pediatrics 2004;113:1412.
- Ear infections in children. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/earinfections. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Isaacson GC. Overview of tympanostomy tube placement and medical care of children with tympanostomy tubes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Q&A for parents: Your child's surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/Anesthesia-Topics/QA-for-Parents-Your-Childs-Surgery.aspx. Accessed Feb. 4, 2011.
- Procedures with anesthesia. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/treatments/pages/Procedures-With-Anesthesia.aspx. Accessed Feb. 4, 2011.
- Casselbrant M, et al. Acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. In: Flint P, et al., eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/search/summary/234589448-4?search_id=1111644525&kw=tympanostomy%20tubes&search_type=Summary&etype=All&bbSortBy=hits. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
- Isaacson GC. Prevention and management of tympanostomy tube otorrhea in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
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