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Ear tube surgery - what to ask your doctor

Definition

Your child is being evaluated for ear tube insertion. This is the placement of tubes in your child's eardrums. It is done to allow fluid behind your child's eardrums to drain or to prevent infection. This can help your child's ears work better.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your child's health care provider to help you take care of your child's ears.

Watch this video about: Ear tube insertion

Alternative 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?

Watch this video about: Prepare for your child's ear tube 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 anesthesia?

How long will the tubes stay in? How do the tubes come out? Do the holes where the tubes are placed close up?

Watch this video about: How do ear tubes come out?

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?

Watch this video about: After your child's ear tube surgery

References

Chi DH, Tobey A. Otolaryngology. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 24.

Player B. Otitis media. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 680.

Schilder AGM, Rosenfeld RM, Venekamp RP. Acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. In: Lesperance MM, ed. Cummings Pediatric Otolaryngology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 15.

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