Ear tubes

Ear tubes are tiny, hollow tubes that surgeons place into the eardrums during surgery. An ear tube allows air into the middle ear. Ear tubes keep fluid from building up behind the eardrums. The tubes usually are made of plastic or metal. Ear tubes also are called tympanostomy tubes, ventilation tubes, myringotomy tubes or pressure equalization tubes.

An ear tube is used to treat and prevent the buildup of fluids in the middle ear.

Putting in an ear tube carries a low risk of serious problems. Possible risks include: Bleeding and infection. Ongoing fluid drainage. Blocked tubes from blood or mucus. Eardrum scarring or weakening. Tubes falling out too soon or staying in too long. The eardrum not closing after the tube falls out or is taken out.

Ask your health care team how to get your child ready for surgery to place ear tubes. Tell your health care team: All medicines your child takes. Your child's history or family history of bad reactions to anesthesia. Known allergy or other bad reactions to other medicines, such as medicines to fight infections, known as antibiotics. Questions to ask a member of your health care team: When does my child need to start fasting? What medicines can my child take before surgery? When should we arrive at the hospital? Where do we need to check in? What is the expected recovery time? Tips for helping a child prepare include the following: Start talking about the hospital visit a few days before the appointment. Tell the child that ear tubes can help make ears feel better or make it easier to hear. Tell the child about the special medicine putting the child to sleep during the surgery. Let the child pick out a favorite comfort toy, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, to take to the hospital. Let the child know you'll stay at the hospital while the tubes are being placed.

A surgeon trained in ear, nose and throat conditions places ear tubes during surgery.