Ear tube surgery - what to ask your doctor
Definition
Your childis being evaluated forear tube insertion. This isthe placement of tubes inyour childs eardrums. It is done to allow fluid behind your childs eardrums to drain or toprevent infection. This can helpyour child'sears work better.
Below are some questions you may want to ask your childs doctor or nurse to help you take care of your child's ears.
Alternate Names
What to ask your doctor about ear tube surgery; Tympanostomy - what to ask your doctor; Myringotomy - what to ask your doctor
Questions
Why does my child need ear tubes?
Can we try other treatments? What are the risks of the surgery?
Is it safe to wait before getting ear tubes?
- Will it harm my child's ears if we wait longer before putting in tubes?
- Will my child still learn to speak and read if we wait longer before putting in tubes?
What type of anesthesia will my child need? Will my child feel any pain? What are the risks of the anesthesia?
How long will the tubes stay in? How do the tubes come out? Do the holes where the tubes are placed close up?
Will my child still have ear infections while the tubes are in place? Will my child have ear infections again after the ear tubes come out?
Can my child swim or get the ears wet with tubes in?
When will my child need to follow up after surgery?
Reviewed By: Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, David R. Eltz, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
