Ear Tube Placement

This is a common outpatient procedure in children with recurring ear infections or prolonged fluid in the middle ear. Your child is under general anesthesia for the surgery. There is a small incision made in the eardrum where the small, hollow tubes are inserted. These tubes allow the fluid in the middle ear to drain properly. Recovery time after the procedure is minimal and seldom painful. You will want to monitor your child for fever or drainage from the ear and call the doctor if these problems arise. You may also want to notify the school nurse of the tubes, just in case problems occur at school. As the eardrum grows, the tubes may fall out of the ear. Your doctor will be able to tell you if they need to be replaced. Check-ups with your doctor are important to make sure the tubes are working correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Will my child be able to go home after the surgery?
  A: As soon as your child is awake and taking fluid well, you will be allowed to take him home. Recovery time is usually an hour or less.

• Q: What if the tubes fall out of my child's ears?
  A: This is not an uncommon occurrence, just call your physician for instructions.

• Q: Are there any activity restrictions after surgery?
  A: Quiet activities are recommended for the remainder of the day following surgery.

• Q: What about bathing and swimming?
  A: Your child can shower or bathe, but you must not allow dirty, soapy water to enter the ear. Check with your doctor for any special instructions in regards to protecting the ear while bathing and swimming. Some physicians may request that you use special earplugs.

Questions for Your Doctor Regarding this Surgery

• What risks and benefits are involved with the surgery?

• Will the problem return after surgery?

• How long will the procedure take?

After Surgery

Anesthesia is a concern for anyone undergoing a surgical procedure. Nausea and restlessness are common occurrences after surgery and do go away as the medication wears off. Many times the pediatric nurse will recommend letting your child sleep until he awakens on his own. After any of these surgeries your child's nurse will be checking their pain level frequently. Depending on your child's age and level of awareness after surgery, the following tool, called the Wong-Baker Facial Expression Scale, may be used to assess their comfort level. (Hint: a favorite toy brought from home may help with comfort.)

We realize that each surgery and recovery is unique and our team of professionals are here to guide you and your child through their entire surgical experience. You can be assured that we will provide quality care and do what we can to make your child's recovery more comfortable. If you have any special needs during your hospitalization please let one of our professionals know.

Information compiled by Washburn University nursing students and approved by the the Stormont-Vail Pediatric Unit staff.

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