How involved is having tympanostomy tubes placed?
Placing tympanostomy tubes is done in the operating room and takes about 5 minutes of anesthesia ( usually with only a mask). Most children are ready to go home 15 minutes after the procedure is complete, and are normal by the end of the day. While activity is not restricted after tympanostomy tube placement, ear plugs are recommended with exposure to untreated water (lake, river, ocean, etc).
