Ear tube Insertion

NORMAL ANATOMY

Ear tube insertion is a surgical procedure.it is used to drain fluid from the middle ear. In this procedure, a small cut is made in the eardrum.after cutting the eardrum, A special tubes,it's name is PE tubes, are placed in the ear to allow fluid in order to drain from the middle ear. These tubes also allow air to circulate through the area behind the middle ear.

Usually the eustachian tubes, which connect the back of the throat behind the nose to the middle ear, allow air to get into the space behind the eardrum. Air is needed in this space to allow the eardrum to move and function correctly. When air is not present in this space, fluid can be build up and bacteria can be grown. This can be caused ear infections. Inserting PE tubes gives the eustachian tubes time to grow and begin to function better.

Most ear tubes fall out on their own with 3 to 18 months of the procedure. The most common time is between 6 and 9 months. A healthcare provider will usually re-examine the ear periodically to see if the tubes are still in place and working well or to see if they have fallen out. A person may not always see the tube if it falls out.

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

Ear tube insertion may be recommended for people, especially children, who have:

eustachian tubes that are immature or have not formed correctly while a child is young

recurrent ear infections, called chronic otitis media, despite the use of antibiotics

persistent, severe ear pain unrelieved with pain medications

hearing loss due to fluid in the eardrum, which can cause problems with speech development

complications from ear infections, including inflammation or infection of other parts of the ear and jaw

procedure

While you are slept deeply and pain-free (using general anesthesia), a small incision is made in the eardrum, and the accumulated fluid is suctioned out. A small tube is inserted through the incised eardrum in order to dry out the middle ear and prevent the fluid from re-accumulating. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes, and the anesthesia is used temporary and safe. The incision heals without sutures and usually the hole closes spontaneou sly. The ear tubes fall out after a few months.