How Are Tubes Put in Ears?

Some children get recurrent and painful ear infections.

Ear tubes are also known as drainage tubes, myringotomy tubes, tympanostomy tubes or ventilation tubes. They're used to drain fluid and normalize the pressure between the middle and outer ear, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The Children's Hospital of Boston says about 1 million children have tubes put in ears--normally an outpatient procedure--every year, and they're usually from 1 to 3 years old.

Anesthesia

Having ear tubes put in is a relatively quick and simple procedure.

General anesthesia is used during ear tubes surgery, the Mayo Clinic says, and may be applied through a gas mask or by injection. Monitoring of blood pressure, oxygen levels and heart rate takes place during the surgery.

The Procedure

Some doctors will recommend ear plugs be worn during bathing and swimming.

A small incision is made in the eardrum with either a scalpel or a laser. An ear tube made of metal, plastic or Teflon is then inserted into the eardrum incision. This procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

After Surgery

Ear tubes can improve hearing and speech.

After a few hours of recovery, the patient can usually go home, the Children's Hospital says, and can resume normal activities within 24 hours.

Care must be taken when bathing or swimming. Crusty material or liquid may drain or seep from the ears for up to one week. Ear drops may be prescribed to prevent fluid buildup in the ear tubes.

Duration

Ear tubes fall out as the eardrum grows.

Doctors will check on the ear tubes at two to four weeks, four to six months and one year after surgery, according to the Children's Hospital.

Mayo Clinic reports that the type of ear tubes used determines how long they remain in. They stay in from six to 12 months and normally fall out on their own as the ear drums grow. They can fall out too soon, necessitating a second procedure, and, in some cases, the ear tubes must be surgically removed.

Risks

By age 5, the eustachian tubes lengthen and widen naturally.

Having tubes put in ears is a safe procedure with low risk of complications. The Mayo Clinic lists risks as bleeding and infection, persistent fluid drainage and tearing or scarring of the eardrum. Anesthesia risks include allergic reaction, breathing or heart problems and fever.

The Children's Hospital says in some cases, ear tubes don't prevent ear infections and infections develop after the procedure. About 30 percent of children with ear tubes need to have them reinserted within five years. The hole left by ear tubes may have to be surgically repaired in some cases, and scarring left on the eardrum can cause some hearing loss.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Ear Tubes
• The Children's Hospital of Boston: Myringotomy Tubes