Ear Tube Surgery
Ear tube surgery (also called myringotomy) is recommended for young children who experience recurrent or chronic ear infections. The procedure is fast and simple, and most children are back to their normal selves the very next day, if not the same day. Ear tube surgery helps fluid drain better, preventing the buildup of fluid behind the eardrum. By placing a small tube in the eardrum, fluid will drain out, decreasing the likelihood of future infections.
Any ear infections post-surgery can typically be treated with antibiotic ear drops instead of oral antibiotics, which are often easier for children to handle. As your child grows, his or her ear canals and eardrum will also grow, and the tubes will fall out painlessly, often without knowing it happened. At this point, if your child is not experiencing chronic ear infections, there are no extra precautions to take. Your child’s pediatrician can update you on how the tubes look during future well checks or sick visits. This is often how parents find out the tubes have fallen out.
In addition to being a generally safe and effective procedure in treating ongoing ear infections, ear tube surgery can also improve your child’s hearing and communication skills. If your child is a young toddler and is not meeting his or her language and communication milestones, your pediatrician may recommend seeing an audiologist before and after ear tube surgery to test for hearing problems. Many parents agree their toddler’s behavior and communication improves greatly after ear tube surgery.