Pediatric Ear Tube Surgery: What Parents Need to Know
If your child has frequent ear infections or fluid behind their eardrum(s), an ear tube procedure may help. Your child’s doctor will discuss options available during a consultation prior to any procedure. Your child’s ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon will help you decide which option is best.
What are Ear Tubes?
Ear tubes (also called myringotomy tubes or tympanostomy tubes) are very small tubes that are surgically placed in your child’s eardrum by a pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon to help treat ear infections. The purpose of the tube is to provide ventilation to the middle ear and prevent fluid buildup. The tubes will also provide access for antibiotic ear drops to reach the middle ear if another ear infection occurs.
Comparing Your Options for Ear Tube Placement
At Nationwide Children's, if your child needs ear tubes, you may have two options:
- Ear tubes placed in a doctor’s office without general anesthesia (for some children)
- Traditional ear tube surgery performed under general anesthesia
Both options are safe, effective and have been performed thousands of times by Nationwide Children’s ENT surgeons.
| In-Clinic Ear Tubes | Traditional Ear Tube Surgery |
|---|---|
| No general anesthesia | General anesthesia |
| In-office clinic visit | Surgery center |
| Takes 2 to 4 minutes | Takes 10 to 15 minutes |
| Home shortly after | Home within 1 to 2 hours |
| Appropriate for most children younger than 16 months. Some older children may be eligible. | Available for most children and required for some children. |
How Do I Choose the Best Option for My Child?
Regardless of the procedure, every family will receive a consultation prior to talk about:
- Your child’s age and health
- How often your child has ear infections
- How long fluid has been present
- Your child’s comfort and ability to complete the procedure safely
- Your family’s questions and preferences
- Together, you and your child’s care team can choose the approach that best meets your child’s needs.
In-Office Ear Tube Placement
If your child is less than 2 years old, they may be a good candidate for in-office ear tube placement. In-clinic ear tubes may be an option for young children who:
- Had three ear infections within six months
- Had fluid in the ear for three to six months
- Had infections that are not getting better with antibiotics
Every child is different. An ENT surgeon will examine your child and explain whether this option may be right for them.
In-clinic ear tubes are placed during a regular clinic visit. In office ear tube placements are done at Nationwide Children’s main campus, Westerville, Lewis Center, Dublin, Marysville and Mansfield locations.
Tylenol and a numbing solution in the ears may be provided to promote comfort. Your child will stay awake. An ENT nurse will gently hold and comfort your child so the doctor can place the ear tubes safely. The doctor will:
- Make a tiny opening in the eardrum.
- Drain any fluid from behind the eardrum.
- Place a small tube in the opening.
The ear tube surgery itself usually takes about two to four minutes. The recovery time is very short because there is no general anesthesia.
Your child may cry or become upset while being held still. This is normal. Most children calm down within a few minutes and are no longer upset by the time they leave the clinic or shortly after.
Most children are ready to leave the clinic soon after the procedure. Your care team will explain how to care for your child’s ears and when to return for follow-up care. Children usually have little pain or other symptoms following the procedure. Your doctor will examine your child’s ear tubes every six months to make sure the tubes are in place.
Nationwide Children’s completed more than 1,000 in-clinic ear tube procedures since 2023. A study of the program found that in-clinic ear tube placement was safe, provided positive results and was linked to high family satisfaction. It may also help children receive treatment sooner by avoiding the need to schedule operating room time.
Ear Tube Surgery Under General Anesthesia
If your child is over 2 years of age or has other conditions that require anesthesia prior to ear tube placement, ENT surgeons may recommend the traditional surgical approach.
Your child will have surgery at the Outpatient Surgery Center at the main hospital or the Westerville Surgery Center. The ear tube placement will last 10 to 15 minutes.
Your team includes:
- Nursing: Our pediatric nurses will prepare your child for surgery, assist the pediatric ENT surgeon during surgery, and care for your child after ear tube surgery.
- Anesthesiology: Your child will be placed under general anesthesia by a pediatric anesthesiologist. Our trained pediatric anesthesiologists regularly provide pediatric anesthesiology services for children undergoing surgical procedures.
- Surgery: A pediatric ENT surgeon will insert an ear speculum, make a small incision in the ear drum, and drain any fluid from the middle ear. The surgeon will insert the ear tube to ventilate the middle ear. After surgery, your surgeon may recommend antibiotic ear drops for your child’s ears.
You and your child should be able to return home within one to two hours after ear tube surgery. Children usually have little pain or other symptoms following the procedure. Your doctor will examine your child’s ear tubes every six months to make sure the tubes are in place.
Ear tubes usually fall out on their own within 12 to 36 months. As children grow, their Eustachian tubes develop. This helps fluid drain more easily and lowers the chance of ear infections.
Most children do not need ear plugs when bathing or swimming in chlorinated pools. Ear plugs are recommended if your child swims in lakes or oceans.