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Ear tube insertion - Risks

Alternative Names

Myringotomy; Tympanostomy; Ear tube surgery; Pressure equalization tubes; Ventilating tubes

Risks:

Risks of ear tube insertion include:

These problems do not usually last long. They also do not usually cause problems in children. Your doctor can explain these complications in more detail.

The risks for any anesthesia are:

  • Breathing problems
  • Reactions to medicines

The risks for any surgery are:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Reviewed last on: 4/15/2011
  • Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Paradise JL, Feldman HM, Campbell TF, Dollaghan CA, Rockette HE, Pitcairn DL, et al. Tympanostomy tubes and developmental outcomes at 9 to 11 years of age. N Engl J Med. 2007; 356(3):248-61.

Casselbrant ML, Mandel EM. Acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 194.

Browning GG, Rovers MM, Williamson I, Lous J, Burton MJ. Grommets (ventilation tubes) for hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(10):CD001801.

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