What you can expect

Before the procedure

A surgeon specializing in ear, nose and throat disorders performs the surgery for placing ear tubes.

Anesthesia

The surgeon usually performs the procedure during general anesthesia, so your child isn't aware of anything during the procedure.

The surgical team places several monitors on your child's body to be sure heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen remain at safe levels throughout the procedure. These monitors include a blood pressure cuff on your child's arm and heart-monitor leads attached to your child's chest.

During the procedure

The procedure usually takes about 15 minutes. The surgeon:

• Makes a tiny hole (incision) in the eardrum (myringotomy) with a small scalpel or laser
• Suctions out fluids from the middle ear
• Inserts the tube in the hole in the eardrum

After the procedure

After surgery, your child is moved to a recovery room where the health care team watches for complications from the surgery and anesthesia. If there aren't any complications, your child will be able to go home within a few hours.

Your child will likely be sleepy and irritable for the rest of the day and possibly nauseous from the anesthesia. In most cases, children resume regular activities within 24 hours of the surgery.

Follow-up care

Your child's doctor will advise you about follow-up care after ear tube placement. If there are no complications, standard care includes the following:

• A follow-up appointment will be scheduled within two to four weeks of the procedure. At that time, your child's ear, nose and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) will check for appropriate placement and function of the tubes. Other follow-up appointments with the ear, nose and throat specialist or your child's primary care doctor will be scheduled every four to six months.
• Your child may be prescribed antibiotic eardrops to prevent infection after surgery. Use all the medication as directed even if there's no drainage or other signs of infection.
• If your child had hearing loss before the procedure, the doctor will also order a hearing test (audiogram) to evaluate hearing afterward.
• Your child likely won't need to wear earplugs while swimming or bathing unless his or her doctor suggests them.

When to contact your doctor

Reasons to see your child's ear, nose and throat specialist outside of regularly scheduled follow-up appointments include:

• Yellow, brown or bloody discharge from the ear that continues for more than a week
• Persistent pain, hearing problems or balance problems