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By Mayo Clinic staffA surgeon specializing in ear, nose and throat disorders (otolaryngologist) performs the surgery for placing ear tubes.
Anesthesia
The surgeon usually performs the procedure during general anesthesia, so your child isn't aware of anything during the procedure. The anesthetic medication may be inhaled through a mask, injected into a vein or both.
The surgical team places several monitors on your child's body to help make sure that his or her heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen remain at safe levels throughout the procedure. These monitors include a blood pressure cuff on the child's arm and heart-monitor leads attached to your child's chest.
During the tube placement
The procedure usually takes about 15 minutes. The surgeon:
- Makes a tiny incision in the eardrum (myringotomy) with a small scalpel or laser
- Suctions out fluids from the middle ear
- Inserts the tube in the hole in the eardrum
After ear tube placement
After surgery, your child is moved to a recovery room where the health care team watches for complications from the surgery and anesthesia. If there aren't any complications, your child will be able to go home within a few hours.
Your child will likely be sleepy and irritable for the rest of the day. In most cases, children resume regular activities within 24 hours of the surgery.
Follow-up care
Follow-up care after ear tube placement includes the following:
- An initial follow-up appointment will be scheduled within the first two to four weeks after the procedure. Your otolaryngologist will check for appropriate placement and function of the tubes. Other follow-up appointments with the otolaryngologist or your primary care physician will be scheduled at four to six months intervals.
- Your doctor will also order a hearing test (audiogram) to assess hearing outcomes after the procedure.
- You may observe yellow, brown or bloody discharge from the ear (otorrhea) after tube placement. If drainage continues for more than a week, see your doctor.
- Your otolaryngologist may prescribe eardrops, such as ofloxacin (Floxin), to help minimize fluid discharge from the ear. Use the full course as directed by your doctor even if no drainage problems appear.
- Make an appointment with your otolaryngologist if your child experiences persistent pain, hearing problems or balance problems.
- Your doctor may suggest that your child wear earplugs during swimming or bathing.
- 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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