Myringotomy With P.e. Tubes In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A myringotomy is a procedure to put a tube through a hole in your child's eardrum. Pressure equalizing (PE) tubes are also called ventilation tubes, drainage tubes, tympanostomy tubes (T-tubes), or grommets. The eardrum is a thin layer of tissue that divides the middle and outer parts of the ear. The eardrum protects the middle ear and helps your child hear. Your child may need a myringotomy in one or both ears. During the procedure, a tube is placed into the eardrum, which drains fluid out of your child's ear.
  
  
• Your child may need a myringotomy with a PE tube if he has had many ear infections. He also may need the procedure if an ear infection has caused hearing loss. Your child may have a blocked eustachian tube that causes increased fluid or pressure behind his eardrum. The eustachian tube is a part of the ear that helps drain fluid from the middle ear. If your child's middle ear or eardrum has been damaged, he may need to have a myringotomy. After having this procedure, your child may have fewer ear infections. He may hear better, and have less pressure and pain in his ear.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

RISKS:

• Your child may be allergic to the anesthesia medicine, and have trouble breathing. A nerve may be damaged and decrease your child's ability to taste after the procedure. After the procedure, your child could get an infection, and pus may leak from his ear. Tissue near his eardrum may build up, and block your child's PE tube. A scar may cause your child's eardrum to stiffen. Your child's eardrum could get a new hole in it and bleed. These problems may cause hearing loss. If your child's PE tube falls out too soon, he may need another procedure to put in a new tube.
  
  
• If your child does not have a myringotomy with a PE tube, he may have pain and he may keep getting ear infections. Fluid may build up inside your child's ear, and his eardrum could burst (break open). Your child's hearing may get worse. Call your child's caregiver if you have questions or concerns about his procedure, medicine, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before the procedure:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that your child may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your child's medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done to your child. Make sure all of your questions are answered.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your child's blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask you or your child about his pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your child's current health.
  
  
• IV: An IV is a small tube placed in your child's vein. Caregivers use the IV to give your child medicine or liquids.
  
  
• Anesthesia: Anesthesia is medicine to make your child comfortable during the procedure. Caregivers work with you to decide which anesthesia is best for your child, and whether he will be awake or asleep.
  
  
  • General anesthesia: With general anesthesia, your child is asleep. It may be given in an IV or as a gas through a mask over his face.
    
    
  • Local anesthesia: This is a shot of medicine that is put into your child's eardrum. Before the shot, caregivers put medicine on his ear to numb it. With local anesthesia, your child is awake during the procedure. He may feel pressure and pushing, but he should not feel pain.

During the procedure:

Caregivers use a thin knife to make a hole in your child's eardrum. A suction tool removes fluid trapped inside the middle ear. Caregivers use a needle to put a PE tube into the hole in your child's eardrum. Medicine drops may be put into your child's ear to help fight infection.

After the procedure:

Your child will be taken to a room to rest. If your child was asleep during the procedure, he will stay there until he is fully awake. Do not let your child get out of bed until caregivers say it is okay. When caregivers see that your child is okay, he may be able to go home. If your child is staying in the hospital, he will be taken to his room.

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Your child may need medicine to take away or decrease pain. Know how often your child should get the medicine and how much. Watch for signs of pain in your child. Tell caregivers if his pain continues or gets worse. To prevent falls, stay with your child to help him get out of bed.
  
  
• Steroids: This medicine helps decrease inflammation (redness, pain, and swelling) in your child's ear.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.