TYMPANOSTOMY TUBES
David E. Karas, MD Wendy
Mackey, APRN
INDICATIONS
FOR TUBES
There are two main reasons for a child to have tympanostomy tubes
placed.
·
Some children require tubes because they have frequent ear
infections. Repeated ear infections can be very painful and disruptive to
daily life and development. Placement of tubes for this child will increase the
quality of life of the child
and family as it reduces the number of ear infections and their associated
symptoms.
·
Another indication for tubes is for a child who has persistent
fluid in the middle ear spaces (behind the eardrum) for 3 months or more.
The fluid can cause a temporary hearing loss as a result of the fluid
buildup in the middle ear. This may also impact on speech and language
development.
WHAT ARE TYMPANOSTOMY TUBES
A tympanostomy tube is a tiny tube that is placed through a small opening
in the ear drum (tympanic membrane). This tube will allow air to enter
the middle ear space, and also allows any fluid in the middle ear space to
drain out.
HOW LONG DO THEY LAST
Tympanostomy tubes generally remain in place for 6 months to a year.
They will usually fall out on their own. You may or may not see the
tube when it comes out.
RISKS
As with any surgery, there are some risks associated with the placement of
tympanostomy tubes.
·
Your child will receive general anesthesia for the procedure.
There is a 1/200,000 chance that there will be a complication from the
anesthesia.
·
There is a 1/100 chance of a small hole being left in the ear drum
when the tube does falls out. If this were to occur, the hole can be
patched.
SO MY CHILD NEEDS TUBES, WHAT IS THE
NEXT STEP…
·
Choose the date. Dr.
Karas operates on Tuesdays and Fridays.
You can pick the date you would like during your appointment with us, or
just give us a call.
·
All the appropriate paper work will be completed during your visit
with us, and in most cases, there is no need for further preoperative physicals
or paperwork prior to the surgery.
·
A preoperative tour is available for you and your child if you are
interested. During the tour, your child will meet with a Child Life
Specialist (if age appropriate) who will help prepare your child for surgery
using age appropriate play and descriptions. You will also meet with a
pediatric anesthesiologist and pediatric nurse.
THE DAY OF
SURGERY….
·
The
surgery is preformed in the Pediatric Operating Room at Yale. The procedure will take approximately 10
minutes. Your child will receive
anesthesia via a mask and will probably not require any IVs or needles. Once the tubes are placed, your child will
go to the recovery room (PACU or Post-Anesthesia Care Unit). You can be with your child at this
time. Often children are very
disoriented and upset as they come out of the anesthesia. This is normal. Within an hour or so, your child will be
back to themselves and you will be ready to go home.
·
You
will be given some ear drops to place into your child’s ears each
day. We would like you to put 4
drops in each ear, twice a day for three days.
FOLLOW-UP
·
We
would like to see your child three weeks following the surgery to check the
tubes. Then we would like to see
your child every four to six months to continue to monitor your child’s
ears.
·
Some children will continue to get ear infections after the tubes
have been placed. However, they are
less common and not associated with the pain and discomfort. When an ear infection does occur, the
fluid will drain out through the tube.
Your child should be seen by your primary care provider or we would be
happy to see them in our office. Most ear infections will be treated with ear drops instead
of oral antibiotics when the tubes are in place and functioning.
There is no special care required once the tympanostomy tubes are in
place. Normal bathing, swimming and
water play is permitted in most cases without any restrictions (i.e.
Plugs).
If you ever have
questions or concerns, we would be happy to talk to you or see your child at
any time. (203) 245-0496