What are myringotomy tubes (also called ear tubes, tympanostomy tubes, or ventilation tubes)?
Myringotomy tubes are small tubes that are surgically placed into your child’s eardrum by an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. The tubes may be made of plastic, metal, or Teflon®. The tubes are placed to help drain the fluid out of the middle ear in order to reduce the risk of pediatric ear infections. During an ear infection, fluid gathers in the middle ear, which can affect your child’s hearing. Sometimes, even after the infection is gone, some fluid may remain in the ear. The tubes help drain this fluid, and prevent it from building up. The most common ages are from 1 to 3 years old. By the age of 5 years, most children have wider and longer eustachian tubes (a canal that links the middle ear with the throat area), thus, allowing better drainage of fluids from the ear.
