Ear tube insertion

Alternative names:

ear tubes surgery; myringotomy; tympanostomy

Definition:

Surgical procedure to drain fluid through an incision and tubes placed in the ear drum.

Description:

While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), a small incision is made in the ear drum and the accumulated fluid is suctioned out. A small tube may be inserted through the eardrum incision to allow fluid to continuously flow out and air to enter and dry out the middle ear. Because the incision heals without sutures, the hole closes and the ear tubes fall out naturally after a few months.

Indications:

Ear drum tube insertion may be recommended for:

• long-term (chronic) or recurrent (more than 3 in one year) ear infections

symptoms:

• persistent ear pain
• ear drainage
• hearing loss (over a 3-month period)
• recurrent trauma (barotrauma) from flying or deep sea diving