Theear tube, which is placed in the eardrum to correct the pressure difference between the middle ear cavity and the external auditory canal , can stay for 4-6 months.
In which cases is an ear tube applied?
Ear tube (ventilation tube) insertion is one of the most common surgical interventions in children.
- Stubborn middle ear catarrh,
- Frequent acute otitis media
- It is used for the treatment of middle ear infections that persist after antibiotic treatment
Ear tube treatment is effective in resistant middle ear infections that do not respond to drug treatment in children, stubborn middle ear catarrh and inflammation. This is because ear conditions that take a long time to treat in children cause severe pain and suffering in children.
Ear tube application gives positive results in middle ear catarrh, inflammation and infections frequently experienced in children. The doctor should decide whether or not to apply the ear tube and start the treatment.
"Ventilation" tubes, popularly known as ear tubes, are a medical material, generally in the form of a spool and with a channel in the middle, inserted into the eardrum in order to correct the pressure difference between the middle ear cavity and the external auditory canal. When the ear tube is inserted into the patient, the patient should be controlled and the treatment should be applied according to the necessary treatment plan.
What is the benefit of an ear tube?
Ear tube application may cause some complications at different rates.
- Ear discharge
- Thinning of the eardrum and superficial calcification,
- Permanent perforation,
- Complications such as falling into the middle ear
- However, the benefit to be obtained with ventilation tube application is more.
What should be considered with an ear tube?
Some points should be taken into consideration after the ear tube is inserted. In children with tubes, the external auditory canal should be closed with vaseline cotton or a suitable ear plug in the bathroom, especially in the sea and swimming pools to prevent water from entering the middle ear through the tube. In addition, the follow-up program recommended by the physician must be followed.
How Long Should the Ear Tube Stay in the Ear?
The tubes usually stay in the eardrum for 4-6 months and then fall out spontaneously or are removed by the doctor. However, there are cases where the ear tube needs to be kept in the ear for a longer period of time if the disease in the middle ear persists. In such cases, the doctor decides that the treatment should be prolonged and draws up a treatment plan. Patients with an ear tube should communicate with their doctor and act under the doctor's coordination.