Tympanostomy Tubes: What to Expect After Surgery

Ear tubes, or tympanostomy tubes, are a common way to treat chronic ear infections and fluid buildup behind the eardrum. Children usually receive ear tubes when needed between the ages of 1 and 3. It is a procedure we often perform in the Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Program at Children's Hospital.

You should know what your child may feel after tympanostomy is done.

If your child's ears have been full of fluid for a while, your child may seem afraid of normal sounds sounds. These may include a running dishwasher or vacuum, flushing the toilet or a dog barking. This may last for a few weeks. This means your child's hearing is now normal.

Usually there is not much pain following tube surgery. Often, pain your child feels before surgery will decrease because the fluid is now allowed to drain. If there is pain, Tylenol or Motrin should work. Do not give your child Motrin following a tonsillectomy.

Fevers of up to 102 degrees (38.8 degrees C) can happen for up to 72 hours after surgery. This is likely related to the anesthetic your child received in the hospital. Fevers above 102 degrees don't tend to happen after surgery, but are a sign of other illness.

Your child's ears may drain for the first few days after surgery. The fluid may be bloody or have mucous in it. This drainage means the tubes are working as fluid drains out that was trapped behind the ear drum before surgery. Drainage usually comes out onto the outer ear or neck. (Ear wax is not drainage.)

Use the ear drops your doctor recommends or prescribes if there is drainage. Five to seven days of drops should be enough. If drainage has not decreased within five days or isn't gone in a week, contact us.

It is very important to press on the triangle of cartilage (tragus) in front of the ear a few times after using the drops. This helps the drops go where they need to. You may use hydrogen peroxide in the ear first if the drainage is very thick and the drops won't go in.

Most children can swim in chlorinated water without ear plugs following tympanostomy. In dirtier water (lakes, bath tubs), consider using ear plugs. You can make ear plugs using cotton balls coated with Vaseline ointment. Some kids prefer the "Ear Band It", a neoprene head band, which you can find online.