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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffEar tube placement is a relatively safe procedure with a low risk of serious complications. Possible risks include:
- Bleeding and infection
- Persistent drainage of fluid
- Blocked tubes from blood, mucus or other secretions
- Scarring or weakening of the eardrum
- Tubes falling out too early or staying in too long
- Failure of eardrum to heal shut after the tube falls out or is removed
Anesthesia
Surgery for ear tube placement usually requires general anesthesia, which carries some risks as well. Although the risks of anesthesia are very low in otherwise healthy children, possible problems include:
- Allergic reaction
- Breathing difficulties
- Heart irregularities
- Nausea or vomiting after the procedure
- 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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