Ear tube insertion

Ear tube insertion - series

Normal anatomy

The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, separates the ear canal from the middle ear.

Ear tube insertion - series

Normal anatomy

The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, separates the ear canal from the middle ear.

Ear tube insertion - series

Indications

Ear tube insertion may be recommended for fluid in the middle ear present for more than 12 weeks, recurrent ear infections (more than 3 in six months) despite efforts at prevention, or ear infections that don't improve after 2 to 3 rounds of appropriate antibiotics. Symptoms include persistent ear pain, ear drainage, or hearing loss (over a 3-month period).

Ear tube insertion - series

Indications

Ear tube insertion may be recommended for fluid in the middle ear present for more than 12 weeks, recurrent ear infections (more than 3 in six months...

Procedure

While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), a small incision is made in the eardrum and the accumulated fluid is suctioned out. A small tube may be inserted through the eardrum incision to dry out the middle ear and to prevent the fluid from re-accumulating. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes; the anesthesia used is brief and safe. The incision heals without sutures. Usually the hole closes spontaneously, and the ear tubes fall out after a few months.

Ear tube insertion - series

Procedure

While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), a small incision is made in the eardrum and the accumulated fluid is suctioned o...

Aftercare

The operation relieves pain and restores hearing immediately. Patients usually leave the hospital the same day. Most people who have had ear tubes are quite pleased with the results. The frequency and severity of middle ear infections is significantly reduced. If ear infections are a problem again after the tubes fall out, the operation can be repeated.

Ear tube insertion - series

Aftercare

The operation relieves pain and restores hearing immediately. Patients usually leave the hospital the same day. Most people who have had ear tubes ar...

Review Date: 1/24/2023

Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

<strong>Normal anatomy</strong><p>The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, separates the ear canal from the middle ear.</p>

<strong>Indications</strong><p>Ear tube insertion may be recommended for fluid in the middle ear present for more than 12 weeks, recurrent ear infections (more than 3 in six months) despite efforts at prevention, or ear infections that don't improve after 2 to 3 rounds of appropriate antibiotics. Symptoms include persistent ear pain, ear drainage, or hearing loss (over a 3-month period).</p>

<strong>Procedure</strong><p>While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), a small incision is made in the eardrum and the accumulated fluid is suctioned out. A small tube may be inserted through the eardrum incision to dry out the middle ear and to prevent the fluid from re-accumulating. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes; the anesthesia used is brief and safe. The incision heals without sutures. Usually the hole closes spontaneously, and the ear tubes fall out after a few months.</p>

<strong>Aftercare</strong><p>The operation relieves pain and restores hearing immediately. Patients usually leave the hospital the same day. Most people who have had ear tubes are quite pleased with the results. The frequency and severity of middle ear infections is significantly reduced. If ear infections are a problem again after the tubes fall out, the operation can be repeated.</p>

Health exams for: #AGEGROUP#

Exam

Frequency

Multimedia Gallery

Ear tube insertion - series

Normal anatomy

Ear tube insertion - series

Normal anatomy

Ear tube insertion - series

Indications

Ear tube insertion - series

Indications

Ear tube insertion - series

Procedure

Ear tube insertion - series

Procedure

Ear tube insertion - series

Aftercare

Ear tube insertion - series

Aftercare

Animations

Illustrations

Presentations