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.

Getting Ready

Before the procedure:

• Keep track of the medicines your child takes and when he gets them. Bring a list of your child's medicines or the pill bottles when you see your child's caregiver. Learn why your child takes each medicine. Ask your child's caregiver for information about your child's medicines.
  
  
• Your child may need hearing tests. Ask caregivers about this test, and other tests that your child may need. Write down the date, time, and location for each test.
  
  
• Your caregiver may give your child antibiotic (germ-killing) medicine before the procedure. This medicine helps fight ear infections and may decrease your child's ear pain.

The night before the procedure:

• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.
  
  

The day of the procedure:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your child's procedure.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives caregivers permission to do the procedure or surgery on your child. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
  
  
• Caregivers may put an intravenous (IV) tube into your child's vein (blood vessel). A vein in the arm is usually chosen. Through the IV tube, your child may be given liquids and medicine.
  
  
• An anesthesiologist may talk with you and your child before the procedure. Your child may be given medicine to make him feel sleepy. Tell caregivers if anyone in your family has had a problem using anesthesia in the past.

Treatment

What will happen:

Your child will be taken to the procedure room and moved to a table. Your child may have general anesthesia, which will keep him asleep during the procedure. Your child may have local anesthesia, which is a shot of medicine that numbs the eardrum. With local anesthesia, your child will be awake during the procedure. Your child may feel pressure or pushing, but he should not feel pain. Caregivers will make a tiny hole in your child's eardrum. Fluid trapped inside your child's middle ear will drain out through this hole. Caregivers will put a small PE tube into the hole, and antibiotic drops may be put into your child's ear.

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 he is okay, your child may go home. If your child is staying in the hospital, he will be taken to his room.

Waiting room:

This is a room where you and your family can wait until your child is ready for visitors after the procedure. Caregivers will find you there to let you know how the procedure went. If you or your family leave the hospital, leave a phone number where you can be reached.

Contact a caregiver if

• Your child cannot make it to his procedure.
  
  
• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• Your child has new trouble hearing.
  
  
• Your child has pus leaking from his ear.
  
  
• Your child is pulling on his ear, and he is more irritable (upset) than usual.
  
  
• Your child is using antibiotic eardrops, and has hearing loss, a ringing sound in his ear, or he feels dizzy. Do not put more eardrops in his ear before his caregiver says it is okay.

Seek Care Immediately if

• Your child has severe (very bad) ear pain.
  
  
• Your child suddenly cannot hear at all.
  
  
• Your child's ear is bleeding.

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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.