Are you constantly visiting the pediatrician due to your child’s frequent ear infections? If so, ear tube surgery may be in the forecast.

When is ear tube surgery necessary?

Children ages six months to six years may contract frequent ear infections – otherwise known as otitis media – or middle ear inflammation. Ear infections usually occur in the winter months and are commonly treated with antibiotics.

But, some ear infections may not respond to the antibiotics prescribed because the Eustachian tubes in children (the tube that drains fluid from the middle ear to the throat) are not fully developed. This may cause fluid to be trapped behind the ear drum – which then becomes a breeding ground for bacteria - ultimately causing infection.

Usually, if a child has an ear infection that lasts longer than one month, or if fluid persists in the middle ear following an ear infection over two to three months, your child’s pediatrician may suggest ear tube surgery to eliminate the pain and discomfort caused by chronic ear infections.

What is ear tube surgery?

Ear tube surgery is a simple medical procedure that allows air to ventilate the middle ear.

During the surgery, the child is placed under anesthesia and a small incision is made in the eardrum. Then, a small plastic or metal tube is positioned in the incision, which allows air to ventilate the middle ear without having to go through the Eustachian tube.

The procedure lasts approximately 10 minutes, and is considered an outpatient surgery.

The inserted tubes stay in the child’s ear anywhere from six months to three years. It does not require another surgery to remove the tubes – they fall out on their own.