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.
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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
