Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Illustration
Ventilation Tubes Surgery
DESCRIPTION
Ventilation tubes are tiny plastic tubes that are surgically
inserted through the eardrum by an ear, nose, and throat
surgeon. They are also called tympanostomy tubes because
they are placed in the tympanic membrane, which is another
term for the eardrum. Ventilation tubes drain fluid out of
the middle ear space and ventilate the area with air.
In the U.S. at least 1 million children, usually from 1 to
3 years old, have ventilation tubes placed in their ears
each year. The operation costs about $300 if it is done in
a doctor's office. (The operation can be performed in a
doctor's office with older, cooperative children only.) The
cost is about $1000 if the operation is done in a hospital
under anesthesia.
REASONS FOR VENTILATION TUBES
The eardrum normally vibrates with sound because the space
behind it (the middle ear) is filled with air. If the
middle ear is filled with fluid, as occurs during an ear
infection, hearing is muffled.
Sometimes after an ear is no longer infected, fluid remains
in the ear. This occurs if the eustachian tube, which runs
from the back of the nose to the middle ear, becomes blocked
and no longer allows air in and fluid out.
Approximately 30 percent of children still have fluid in the
middle ear 1 month after an ear infection. 20 percent still
have fluid 2 months after the infection, and 5 percent have
fluid 4 months after the infection. Fluid is especially
likely to persist if the first ear infection occurs before a
child is 6 months old. By the time a child is 5 years old,
the eustachian tube is wider and fluid usually doesn't
persist long after ear infections are treated.
The main concern about having fluid in the middle ear for a
long time is that the muffled hearing may affect a child's
speech development.
BENEFITS OF VENTILATION TUBES
Ventilation tubes allow secretions to drain out of the
middle ear space and allow air to reenter. The risk of
recurring ear infections is greatly reduced. Hearing
returns to normal with the tube in place and speech
development can get back on track.
Ventilation tubes also prevent the fluid from becoming
thicker (a "glue ear") and damaging the middle ear.
Ventilation tubes give time for the eustachian tubes to
begin to function better as the child grows older.
RISKS OF VENTILATION TUBES
Approximately 10 percent of children with ventilation tubes
continue to have ear infections with drainage and pain.
These bouts of infection that require antibiotics probably
would occur without the tubes.
Normally the tubes come out and fall into the ear canal
after about a year. Complications may occur when the tubes
come out. Sometimes they come out too quickly and need to
be replaced by another set. Rarely, they fall into the
middle ear space and need to be removed by the surgeon. If
the tubes remain in the eardrum for over 2 years, the
surgeon may need to remove them.
After the tubes come out, they may leave scars on the
eardrum or a small hole (perforation) that doesn't heal.
Both of these problems can cause a small hearing loss.
Because of these possible complications and the need to give
anesthesia to young children before the operation,
physicians recommend ventilation tubes only for children who
definitely need them.
DEALING WITH TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS
Most children have only temporary hearing loss because of
fluid in their middle ears. When you talk to your child
during this time of temporary hearing loss, get close to
him, seek eye contact, get his full attention, and
occasionally check that he understands what you have said.
If your child is not hearing you well, speak in a louder
voice than you normally use. A common mistake is to assume
your child is ignoring you when actually he doesn't hear
you. Reduce background noise from radio or television while
you talk with your child.
If your child goes to school, make sure that he sits near
the teacher. (Fluid in the middle ear makes it difficult to
hear in a crowd or classroom).
Keep in mind that most children's speech development will
catch up after a brief period of incomplete hearing.
MEDICAL INDICATIONS FOR VENTILATION TUBES
The surgical placement of ventilation tubes is usually
recommended if your child has several of the following
conditions:
- Fluid has been present in the middle ear continuously for
over 4 months.
- Both ears have fluid.
- The fluid has caused a documented hearing loss. A
hearing loss greater than 20 dB can significantly affect
speech. However, many children with fluid in their ears
have nearly normal hearing.
- The fluid has caused a speech delay (for example, a child
is not speaking at least three words by the age of
18 months or 20 words by the age of 2 years).
- Recurrent ear infections have failed to respond to
treatment with continuous antibiotics for several months.
PREVENTION OF CHRONIC EAR FLUID
Chronic ear fluid and recurrent ear infections are usually
caused by a blocked eustachian tube. However, there are
other factors that might worsen a child's condition:
- Exposure to adults who smoke.
- Drinking from a bottle while lying down (or bottle
propping), which can cause milk to enter the middle ear
space.
- Nasal allergies, which can cause more frequent ear fluid
buildup. Consider this factor if your child has hay
fever, eczema, asthma, or food allergies.
- Nightly snoring caused by large adenoids. (For more
information see Tonsil and Adenoid Surgery).
If any of these factors are true for your child, treat or
eliminate them before you consider ventilation tubes.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:
- You have other questions or concerns about ventilation
tubes.
RECOMMENDED READING
EAR TUBES; by V. Lansky; The Book Peddlers, 1990
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