Myringotomy and tubes
Myringotomy tubes are small tubes that are surgically placed into your
child's eardrum by an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. The tubes may be made of
plastic, metal, or Teflon®. The tubes are placed to help drain the fluid out of
the middle ear in order to reduce the risk of ear infections. These tubes
usually remain in place 6-18 months and may fall out by themselves. It is
impossible to predict how long a tube will last.
During an ear infection, fluid gathers in the middle ear, which can affect
your child's hearing. Sometimes, even after the infection is gone, some fluid
may remain in the ear. The tubes help drain this fluid, and prevent it from
building up.
About one million children each year have tubes placed in their ears. The
most common ages are from 1 to 3 years old. By the age of 5 years, most children
have wider and longer eustachian tubes (a canal that links the middle ear with
the throat area), thus, allowing better drainage of fluids from the ear.
Who needs ear tubes?
The insertion of ear tubes may be recommended by your
child's physician and/or an ear, nose, and throat physician if several of the
following conditions are present:
- Fluid in the ears for more than three or four months following an ear
infection
- Fluid in the ears and more than three months of hearing loss
- Changes in the actual structure of the eardrum from ear infections
- A delay in speaking
- Repeated ear infections that do not improve with antibiotics over several
months
The risks and benefits of ear tubes
The risks and benefits will be different for
each child. It is important to discuss this with your child's physician and
surgeon. The following are some of the possible benefits that may be discussed:
- Ear tubes help to reduce the risk of future ear infections.
- Hearing is restored in some children who experience hearing problems.
- Speech development is not harmed.
- Ear tubes allow time for the child to mature and for the eustachian tube
to work more efficiently. (By the age of 5 years, the eustachian tube becomes
wider and longer, thus, allowing for better drainage of fluids from the ears.)
- Children's behavior, sleep, and communication may be improved if ear
infections were causing problems.
The following are some of the risks that may be discussed:
- Some children with ear tubes continue to develop ear infections.
- There may be problems with the tubes coming out:
- The tubes usually fall out in about one year. After they fall out, if ear
infections recur, they may need to be replaced.
- If they remain in the ear too long, the surgeon may need to remove them.
- After they come out, they may leave a small scar in the eardrum. This may
cause some hearing loss.
- About 30 percent of children with tubes have to have tubes reinserted
within five years.
- Some children may develop an infection after the tubes are inserted.
- Sometimes, after the tube comes out, a small hole may
remain in the eardrum. This hole may need to be repaired with surgery.