Ventilation tube treatment, which involves surgically inserting small hollow cylinders into the eardrum, allows the middle ear to drain and air to circulate into the middle ear while preventing fluid from building behind the eardrum. Metal or plastic ventilation tubes are most commonly used.
Ventilation tubes,
Ventilation tubes are typically advised for children who have a persistent buildup of fluid behind the eardrum, particularly if this is causing hearing loss or impairing speech development. If your child has repeated ear infections, your doctor may also propose ventilation tubes.
The majority of ear tubes fall out on their own after 4 to 18 months, and the holes seal on their own. Some tubes may need to be removed, and certain holes may require surgical closure.
A ventilation tube is used to treat and prevent middle ear fluid buildup.
The middle ear is the region behind the eardrum that contains three vibrating tiny bones. The middle ear has an aperture that leads to a tube (Eustachian tube) that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. This tube serves three purposes:
The Eustachian tube is small, flexible, and typically horizontal in young children. These features may cause the tube to malfunction or become clogged.
Conditions that can be addressed with ventilation tubes have two interconnected characteristics:
The following conditions may benefit from the use of ventilation tubes.
A bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear. The infection has caused edema and moisture in the middle ear. To avoid new infections, ventilation tubes might be utilized. If your kid has three or more episodes of infection in six months or four or more episodes in a year, your doctor may advise you to use these tubes.
Otitis media with effusion is a fluid buildup without signs or symptoms of infection. This can be caused by chronic fluid following an illness, issues with the eustachian tubes, or another ailment that prevents drainage. Fluids can impair hearing and cause balance issues. Ventilation tubes are particularly significant if hearing loss is causing delayed language development, other academic impairments, poor school performance, or behavioral issues.
Persistent middle ear infection, a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotics. A ventilation tube may be inserted to empty the ear and allow antibiotic drops to reach the middle ear directly.
It is a chronic otitis media that causes eardrum rupture and continuous drainage. A blockage of the Eustachian tube or an ear injury can both cause the illness. The ventilation tube facilitates drainage following surgical eardrum repair and direct therapy with ear drops.
Structure of the inner ear
The middle ear is made up of three little bones: the malleus, incus, and stapes. The eardrum separates the middle ear from the outer ear, and the Eustachian tube connects it to the back of your nose and throat.
Ear ventilation tubes (also known as tympanic ventilation devices or pressure equalization tubes) are small cylinders that are surgically placed into the eardrum. The ventilation tube generates an air route that ventilates the middle ear and keeps fluid from building up behind the eardrum.
The insertion of an ear tube is a relatively safe technique with a low risk of major consequences. Among the potential hazards are
General anesthesia is frequently required for ventilation tube installation operations. Although the dangers of anesthesia are quite low in healthy people, potential complications include
Our clinic will provide you with guidance on how to prepare your patient for the surgery to place the ear tubes.
Here are some pointers to help your patient prepare:
Begin discussing the surgery a few days before the procedure.
Say that the surgery will make the person feel better and allow them to hear better.
A surgeon who specializes in ear, nose, and throat illnesses performs the ventilation tube placement procedure.
The treatment is normally performed under general anesthesia, so the patient is not aware of anything during the procedure.
Many monitors are placed on the patient’s body by the surgical team to ensure that the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels remain safe throughout the treatment. These monitors contain a blood pressure cuff on the arm and electrodes for a heart monitor linked to the chest.
Typically, the operation takes about 15 minutes. Surgeon:
The patient will be taken to a recovery room following the surgery, where the medical team will monitor any issues from the procedure and anesthetic. If no issues arise, our patient will be able to return home within a few hours.
The patient is likely to be tired and irritated for the rest of the day, and the anesthetic may cause nausea. Patients typically resume normal activities after 24 hours of surgery.
The following are examples of urgent reasons for a patient to contact us outside of regular follow-up visits:
Ventilation tubes provide ear ventilation and drainage. The installation of a ventilation tube usually results in