Myringotomy With P.e. Tubes

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A myringotomy is a procedure to put a tube through a hole in your eardrum. Pressure equalizing (PE) tubes are also called ventilation tubes, drainage tubes, tympanostomy tubes (T-tubes), or grommets. Your eardrum is a thin layer of tissue that divides the middle and outer parts of your ear. The eardrum protects your middle ear and helps you hear.
  
  
• During the procedure, a PE tube is put into a hole made in your eardrum in one or both of your ears. The tube drains fluid out from inside your ear. Over time, the tube will fall out, or be removed by a caregiver. You may need to have this procedure if you have had many ear infections. You also may need this procedure if you have fluid or pressure in your middle ear caused by a blocked eustachian tube. The eustachian tube helps keep the pressure the same on either side of the eardrum. A myringotomy and PE tube may help you hear better. With a PE tube, you may get fewer ear infections, and have less ear pain.

CARE AGREEMENT:

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

RISKS:

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

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your procedure:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you 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 medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.
  
  
• IV: An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
  
  
• Anesthesia: Anesthesia is medicine to make you comfortable during the procedure. Caregivers work with you to decide which anesthesia is best and whether you will be awake or asleep. This caregiver may give you medicine to make you sleepy before your procedure.
  
  
  • Local anesthesia: Local anesthesia is a shot of medicine put into your eardrum. Before the shot, your caregiver uses a thin tool to put medicine on your ear to numb it. With local anesthesia, you are awake during the procedure. You may still feel pressure, but you should not have pain.
    
    
  • General anesthesia: This is medicine that is given in your IV or as a gas that you breathe. With this medicine, you are asleep during the procedure. An adult will need to drive you home and stay with you after you have had general anesthesia. Do not make important decisions, drive a car, or use heavy equipment for 24 hours after having general anesthesia.

During your procedure:

Your caregiver uses a thin knife to make a tiny hole in your eardrum. A suction tool removes fluid trapped inside your middle ear. Your caregiver uses a needle to put a PE tube into the hole in your eardrum. Your caregiver may put antibiotic (germ-killing) drops in your ear to help fight infection.

After your procedure:

You will be taken to a room to rest. If you were asleep for your procedure, you will stay there until you are fully awake. Do not get out of bed until caregivers say it is okay. When caregivers see that you are okay, you may go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken to your room.

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.
  
  
• Steroids: This is medicine to help decrease inflammation (redness, pain, and swelling) in your ear.

Copyright © 2012. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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.