Does surgery prevent ear infections?
Sometimes doctors recommend myringotomy. In this out-patient procedure, a small cut is made in the child’s eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear. A tiny plastic tube (a tympanostomy) is then placed in the slit to allow air to get into the middle ear and lower the chance that trapped bacteria will cause another ear infection. Children who have ear tubes should not put their heads under water when bathing or swimming. Most tubes fall out on their own six to 18 months after insertion. • Tube insertion is the most common operation in children. It is also controversial. Some studies indicate that the procedure is beneficial, but others suggest it is often done inappropriately and offers no advantage over less invasive therapies. As with any surgery, complications, such as perforation and scarring of the ear drum, can occur. • Current recommendations for tubes are as follows: Ear tubes may be appropriate in a child with persistent fluid and infections lasting more than three months that
