{"id":164,"date":"2019-06-20T12:26:45","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T16:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easterncarolinaent.fm1.dev\/ear\/ear-tubes\/"},"modified":"2020-03-20T12:34:38","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T16:34:38","slug":"ear-tubes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/easterncarolinaent.com\/ent\/ear\/ear-tubes\/","title":{"rendered":"Ear Tubes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
If you\u2019re a parent, it probably comes as no surprise that middle ear infections are common in children, particularly those between the ages of six months and two years. Known as otitis media, these are caused by a number of factors, both physical and environmental. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most ear infections clear up on their own, or are treated with antibiotics. But in some children, they can become a chronic problem that causes other issues, such as delays in speech development and learning. For these children, ear tubes may be recommended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ear tubes are tiny cylinders, made from plastic or other materials, which are surgically inserted into the eardrum. They are meant to remain in place from six months to as long as several years; at some point they will either fall out on their own, or will need to be surgically removed. They go by a variety of names including tympanostomy tubes, ventilation tubes and PE (pressure equalization) tubes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The surgery, known as a myringotomy, is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Fluid behind the eardrum is suctioned out, a small incision is made in the eardrum, and the tube is inserted. The procedure is quick and painless, and usually takes no longer than 15 minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Myringotomy is a common and safe procedure, and complications are rare. Occasionally, patients will experience a perforation of the eardrum, scarring or infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ear tubes provide ventilation to the middle ear and allow fluids to drain, reducing the chances of an ear infection from occurring. They can restore hearing loss caused by excess middle ear fluid, alleviate speech and balance problems, and improve behavior and sleep problems caused by ear infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ear tubes are highly effective in reducing chronic ear infections, though some children (approximately 25 percent) who receive them before the age of two may need them again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Middle-ear ventilating tubes are used to treat eustachian-tube dysfunction and its complications. The eustachian tube is responsible for ventilating and draining the space behind the eardrum into the back of the nose. If the eustachian tube is obstructed, the space behind the ear will not drain, and fluid may collect. If there are bacteria present, it may become infected. Possible causes include bad colds, allergy reactions, enlarged adenoids, chronic sinusitis, and anything else which may cause the tissue in the back of the nose to swell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The middle-ear ventilating tubes simply bypass the faulty eustachian tube and allow the ear to drain to the outside through the ear canal. Approximately 80% of individuals having ventilating tubes will not require placement of tubes after the first set is gone. Twenty percent of individuals having tubes may require more than one set if trouble develops after the first set falls out. This does not mean the tubes “failed”. The individual has simply remained ear-infection prone, and the tubes are no longer there to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Middle-ear ventilating tubes are small plastic or metal tubes, which are designed to artificially ventilate the middle-ear space behind the eardrum. These tubes are inserted through a small, surgically produced hole in the eardrum and are generally left in place until they spontaneously come out. The short operative procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia for infants and children. In most teen-agers and adults, the operation can be done in the office under a mild form of local anesthesia. If there is fluid in the middle ear at the time of surgery, most of it is removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The average time for tubes to remain in the eardrum is 6-12 months. Some will come out within 2-3 months, some may stay 2-3 years. After 2 years if tubes are still through the drum, often they are removed to reduce eardrum damage. The tubes generally come out because the eardrum heals behind the tubes and literally pushes the tube out of the eardrum. 98-99% of the time, the eardrum will be totally healed when the tube comes out. In less than 1% of cases, a small hole may remain in the eardrum for an extended period. This hole may require surgical closure at some later date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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