![]() ![]() Using a tiny vacuum, the surgeon suctions out any excess fluids from the middle ear, cleaning out the area. If left alone, this incision would close and heal within a few days. The surgeon makes a tiny incision in the eardrum with a small scalpel or laser. During this time, the surgeon performs the following steps: The actual surgery takes only about 10 to 15 minutes. The surgical team monitors heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen throughout the surgery. During the procedure, the patient is asleep and breathing on their own. Because they make antibiotic drops easier to use, the tubes can eliminate the need for oral antibiotic treatment.Įar tube insertion, also called myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement, is a very common procedure performed under general anesthesia. The tubes function as a passageway, permitting the drops to travel directly into the ear. Tubes also make it easier to use antibiotic drops in the ears to treat infections. Ear tubes allow pus and mucus buildup from ear infections to drain out of the ear without causing pain or increasing the risk of related complications. This eases pain and helps prevent accumulation of liquid in the middle ear. Ear tubes allow air to enter the ear, equalizing the pressure between the inner ear and the outside world. Ear infections and fluid buildup increase pressure inside the ear, which is what causes pain. What’s the procedure for ear tube insertion?įor the insertion, an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) places tiny plastic or metal tubes in the eardrum. Individuals who suffer from severe ear infections that spread to nearby tissues and bones, or experience a pressure injury from flying or deep sea diving may also require an ear tube insertion. These issues can cause problems that may lead to hearing loss, behavioral issues, and speech development delays in children. Sometimes, however, a person will experience recurrent ear infections and fluid buildup, or have an ear infection that won’t heal for months. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders says that five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday.Įar infections will often go away with time, but antibiotics can treat them effectively as well. This influx of bacteria stimulates inflammation and causes a fluid buildup behind the eardrum.Īdults can also get ear infections, but children get them more frequently because they have smaller eustachian tubes that are more likely to clog. The procedure is usually performed because of bacteria that travel from the nasal cavity into the ear during a cold or other respiratory ailment. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, ear tube insertion is the most common childhood surgery performed with anesthesia.
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