Information About Myringotomy And Tube

A myringotomy (“meer-in-got- toe-mee”) is a small incision in the eardrum.  This may also be called a tympanostomy (“tim-pan-os-toe-mee”).  Sometimes a tiny, hollow tube, called a ventilating tube or pressure-equalizing tube is placed in the incision to allow long-term aeration of the middle ear.  The tube is intended to act as a permanently open eustachian tube that will equalize the pressure across the eardrum and prevent the formation of more fluid in the middle ear.  Although any fluid in the middle ear is drained at the time the tube is inserted, the tube is not intended to function as a drain.  The tube won’t be seen or felt, until it is extruded from the eardrum and occasionally is found on a pillow.

In addition to removing fluid from the middle ear and preventing it from reforming, a myringotomy and tube typically will improve the hearing.  Middle ear fluid creates a conductive barrier to incoming sound and can be a significant impairment to communication, particularly in children who depend on their hearing to develop speech and language.

The operation to perform a myringotomy and tube may be performed under local or general anesthesia.  It typically takes only a few minutes to perform after the patient is prepared.  Recovery is also brief and the patient is soon able to resume their normal activities.

After the surgery, cracking and popping sounds may be heard during the first few days.  Pain is unusual and typically mild.  It can be relieved with Tylenol (acetaminophen).  You will be given ear drops after the surgery.  Put three drops in each ear three times a day for three days (3-3-3).  This is to prevent infection and to keep a blood clot from blocking the tube.  To use the drops, first warm the bottle in your hand for a few minutes.  Gently pull the external ear back and put the drops in the ear canal.  After the drops are in, press on the bump in front of the ear, called the tragus (“tray-gus”), to pump the drops down the ear canal.  A small cotton ball should be put in the external ear for about fifteen minutes to collect any excess liquid draining from the ear.

Drainage from the ear can occur right after the ear or at anytime while a tube is in the eardrum.  Drainage right after surgery usually is yellow or blood-tinged.  Don’t be alarmed, as blood comes from the edges of the incision in the eardrum and will stop on its own.  Discharge in the external ear may be cleaned with a Q-tip soaked in hydrogen peroxide.  Don’t put the Q-tip in the ear canal and don’t let the hydrogen peroxide run into the canal.  After cleaning the ear, apply the drops as previously described twice a day.  Please call this office if the drainage doesn’t stop after four days of using the drops.  Call right away if the drainage is accompanied by fever or pain.

Tubes usually stay in for about nine to twelve months and then “fall out” of the eardrum.  However, they may come out sooner or stay in longer.  The tube may sit in the ear canal unnoticed or it may fall out.  Often you will not see the tube come out.  Your ears should be checked 2 to 3 weeks after surgery and every 3 to 4 months thereafter.  Your hearing will be checked from time to time.

After tubes are put in an ear, you must be careful not to let any water in the ear, as this is a source of infection.  To prevent water from entering the ear you may use earplugs or put a cotton ball in the external ear and coat it with Vaseline.  If water should enter the ear, you should apply the ear drops as previously described to reduce the chance of infection.

Please write down any questions that may arise, so that we may answer them at your next visit.  If you have any problems or questions, please call (602) 956-1250.