Ear tube insertion

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Ear tube insertion - series

Tympanic membrane

Ear tube insertion is a procedure to drain fluid that has built up behind a child’s eardrums. The purpose of the procedure is to restore the normal functioning of the ear.

Myringotomy; Tympanostomy; Ear tubes surgery

While the child is under general anesthesia, a small incision is made in the eardrum. The fluid is suctioned out. A small tube will be inserted through the eardrum incision. The tube allows air to flow in, and fluid to continuously flow out, of the middle ear.

The incision heals on its own, without the need for sutures. The hole closes and the ear tubes usually fall out naturally, after an average of 14 months or so.

The most common reason for performing this surgery is when a child has had fluid build-up behind the eardrum for 4 months or longer, plus has hearing loss or other risk for developmental problems.

If there is a compelling reason, some children may be candidates for ear tube surgery regardless of how long the fluid has been present or their hearing ability.

Ear tube insertion is sometimes used for:

• Acute ear infections
• Patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Patients with a complication resulting from a severe ear infection, such as mastoiditis, brain infection, meningitis, or facial nerve paralysis
• Barotrauma from flying or deep sea diving

Review Date: 09/09/2005
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. editorial. Previously reviewed by Kevin Fung, M.D., FRCS(C), Department of Otolaryngology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (10/24/2004).