Ear tubes are tiny tubes made of metal or plastic. During ear tube surgery, a small hole is made in the eardrums and the tubes are inserted. The opening to the middle ear the area behind the eardrum lets air flow in and out. This keeps air pressure even between the middle ear and the outside, and helps to drain fluid that builds up behind the eardrum.
Most kids won't need surgery to have a tube taken out later. Ear tubes usually fall out on their own, pushed out as the eardrum heals. Ear tubes are also called tympanostomy tubes, myringotomy tubes, ventilation tubes, or pressure equalization PE tubes. Many kids get middle ear infections otitis media. This often happens when a child has a cold or other respiratory infection. Bacteria or viruses can enter the middle ear and fill it with fluid or pus. When fluid pushes on the eardrum, it can cause an earache and affect hearing.
Long periods of decreased hearing in young children can lead to delays in speech development. Children who get a lot of ear infections are sometimes sent for hearing tests. Ear tube surgery can drain fluid from the middle ear, prevent future infections, and help the child hear properly again. Your health care provider will tell you what and when your child can eat and drink before the surgery, because the stomach must be empty on the day of the procedure.
Surgery, no matter how common or simple, can be scary for kids. You can help prepare your child by talking about what to expect during the ear tube surgery. It's done in an operating room while your child is under general anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will carefully watch your child and keep him or her safely and comfortably asleep during the procedure.
The surgeon will make a small hole in each eardrum and remove fluid from the middle ear using suction. Nurses help your child get ready for surgery. Surgical nurses help the surgeon during the procedure.
Recovery room nurses care for your child as he or she recovers from general anesthesia. Anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. This specialist gives sleep medicine anesthesia and watches your child during surgery. Your child will get anesthesia. Follow any directions your child is given for not eating or drinking before the surgery.
It takes about 15 minutes. This procedure may include the following:. Your child will get general anesthesia. This is done to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure from the middle ear.
The surgeon places a small tube in the opening of the eardrum. This lets air flow into the middle ear. It also keeps fluid from building up. Most children can go home 1 to 2 hours after surgery.
Your child will need follow-up care from their surgeon. The ear tubes normally fall out on their own in about 6 months to a year. Your child may need to use ear drops. Your child may also need to wear ear plugs in the bath or when swimming. Call your child's healthcare provider if you have questions or if your child has any of the following symptoms:. Drainage from the ear that lasts more than a few days after surgery or more drainage from the ears. Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or your child has problems.
The pediatrician will watch it and treat it as if it were a tube. It must be kept dry. A lot of times it will close up eventually.
Yes, they can. They will not get their finger deep enough to harm anything. Ear tube surgery is an extremely common and safe procedure with minimal complications.
Yes, most of the time. About six to seven years of age. You can get tubes at any age. That can cause further complications. Instead, they should have air flowing in the ear. Infections can be bloody, pussy or emit clear drainage that looks almost waxy. Ear drops can treat the infection. When Eustachian tubes have a chance to grow and mature, ears ventilate and stay healthy with air. Ear drops. Yes, it is normal in a sense. But, it can cause the child to develop an allergy to something or it can create resistant bacteria, and that makes it more challenging to treat.
It will get worse and the child can develop potential complications, such as mastoiditis or other problems. If a child has an infection, it should definitely be treated.
0コメント