During surgery. the ENT specialist removes the fluid from your child's middle ear and
places a tiny tube in the eardrum. This tube creates a very small tunnel between the outer
ear canal and the middle ear. This tunnel balances air pressure on both sides of the
eardrum and prevents fluid buildup, even if your child's Eustachian tube becomes blocked
again. In most cases, surgery can be done on both ears in less than 30 minutes. If adenoid
problems are also being treated, surgery takes a little longer.
Once your child is asleep, the ear canal is cleaned. Then, using an operating
microscope and special surgical instruments, the ENT specialist makes a small slit in the
eardrum (tympanostomy).
Next, a hollow instrument is passed through the slit in the eardrum. Using gentle
suction, the fluid is withdrawn through the instrument. In some cases, a fluid sample may
be sent to a lab. If the infection is still active, the lab may identify whether it is
viral or bacterial.
After the fluid is removed, the ENT specialist inserts a tiny tube into the same slit
in the eardrum (tympanostomy). Once in position, the shape of the tube helps keep
it in place. Tubes can be made of plastic or metal, and they vary slightly in size and
shape. The ENT specialist chooses the tube most likely to provide the best results for
your child.