What is Myringotomy?

Myringotomy surgery is a procedure in which an ENT surgeon makes a tiny incision in the eardrum. The doctor then places ear tubes to drain the fluid (pus, water or blood) built in the middle ear. This is to reduce the excess pressure created by the fluid. In other words, Myringotomy is the creation of an artificial hole in your eardrum. In a nutshell, this procedure is helpful in draining the fluid out of the middle ear.

What are EAR Tubes/Myringotomy Tubes?

An ENT surgeon surgically places small tubes into a child’s eardrum. These tubes help drain the middle ear’s fluid to reduce ear infections.

During an ear infection, fluid accumulates in the middle ear, which can affect your child’s hearing. Sometimes, even after the infection subsides, some fluid may be retained in the ear. In such cases, Ear tubes help drain this fluid and prevent it from building up.

Ear tubes come in various sizes, shapes, and materials, making it easier for ENT surgeons to choose the best tubes for the child. The tubes are designed to create an artificial hole in the eardrum. This helps in ventilating and draining accumulated fluid out from the middle ear.

Why are Ear Tubes Recommended?

• Chronic otitis media (middle ear infection)
• An obstructed or dysfunctional eustachian tube that cannot perform drainage or ventilation in its usual fashion.
• Fluid accumulated in the ears for more than four months following an ear infection.
• Fluid in the ears combined with more than four months of hearing loss
• Changes in the structure of her eardrum due to recurrent ear infections
• A delay in speaking
• Recurrent infections that do not improve with antibiotics over several months

What is the Procedure for Myringotomy Surgery?

• The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.
• The ENT surgeon makes an incision in the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
• A Myringotomy tube is inserted into the eardrum to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged time and prevent fluid reaccumulation.
• Without the insertion of an ear tube, the incision usually heals spontaneously in two to three weeks.
• The Myringotomy tube is either naturally extruded or fallout in 6 to 12 months or removed by a minor procedure.

What to Expect from Myringotomy?

Myringotomy is a surgical procedure that is usually performed on an outpatient basis. This means that your child will go home the same day of surgery.

Once placed, ear tubes are successful in significantly reducing ear infections — or eliminating them.

Some children may get one or two conditions a year, and the infected pus typically drains on its own.

However, some children may need placement of tubes. The most common age group is one to three years old. After Myringotomy surgery, by the age of 5, most children have wider and longer eustachian tubes (a canal that links the middle ear with the throat), allowing better drainage of fluids from the ear.

Fortunately, ear tubes require relatively little follow-up. Children who get the tubes must return to your ENT clinic a month after the procedure and every six months for regular follow-ups. Myringotomy tubes usually fall out on their own within nine to twelve months after placement. By that point, most children have outgrown their ear problems and don’t require additional sets of tubes.