Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
BOOKS
"Acute Otitis Media." Section 7, Chapter 84 in The MerckManual of Diagnosis and Therapy, edited by Mark H. Beers, MD, and Robert Berkow, MD. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 2001.
Lanternier,...
Matthew L., MD. "Otolaryngology: Ear Pathology," Chapter 20 in The University of Iowa Family Practice Handbook, 4th edition, edited by Mark Graber, MD, and Matthew L. Lanternier, MD. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 2001.
Pelletier, Kenneth R., MD. The Best Alternative Medicine, Part II: CAM Therapies for Specific Conditions: Otitis Media. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002.
PERIODICALS
Ah-Tye, C., J. L. Paradise, and D. K. Colborn. "Otorrhea in Young Children After Tympanostomy-Tube Placement for Persistent Middle-Ear Effusion: Prevalence, Incidence, and Duration."Pediatrics 107 (June 2001): 1251–1258.
Coyte, P. C., R. Croxford, W. McIsaac, et al. "The Role of Adjuvant Adenoidectomy and Tonsillectomy in the Outcome of the Insertion of Tympanostomy Tubes."New England Journal of Medicine 344 (April 19, 2001): 1188–1195.
Desai, S. N., J. D. Kellner, and D. Drummond. "Population-Based, Age-Specific Myringotomy with Tympanostomy Tube Insertion Rates in Calgary, Canada."Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 21 (April 2002): 348–350.
Gates, George A., MD. "Otitis Media—The Pharyngeal Connection."Journal of the American Medical Association 282 (September 8, 1999): 987–999.
Jassir, D., C. A. Buchman, and O. Gomez-Marin. "Safety and Efficacy of Topical Mitomycin C in Myringotomy Patency."Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery 124 (April 2001): 368–373.
Lin, Yuan-Chi, MD. "Acupuncture Anesthesia for a Patient with Complex Congenital Anomalies."Medical Acupuncture 13 (Fall/Winter 2002) [cited February 22, 2003].
Perkins, J. A. "Medical and Surgical Management of Otitis Media in Children."Otolaryngology Clinics of North America 35 (August 2002): 811-825.
Siegel, G. J., and R. K. Chandra. "Laser Office Ventilation of Ears with Insertion of Tubes."Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery 127 (July 2002): 60–66.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (AAMA). 4929 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 428, Los Angeles, CA 90010. (323) 937-5514.
American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. One Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3357. (703) 836-4444.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). 141 Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. (847) 434-4000.
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It is not uncommon for fluid to accumulate behind the eardrum (tympanic membrane). In this animation, we see the surgery used to open the tympanic membrane (myringotomy) and the placement of a drainage tube. This procedure is known colloquially as a patient "getting tubes in his ears."
During a myringotomy, an incision is made into the ear drum, or tympanic membrane (B). The fluid in the ear canal is suctioned out (C), and a small tube is put in place to allow future drainage in the event of an infection (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
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Other Information
Myringotomy is a surgical procedure in which a small incision is made in the eardrum (the tympanic membrane), usually in both ears. The word comes from myringa, modern Latin for drum membrane, and tomē, Greek for cutting. It is also called myringocentesis, tympanotomy, tympanostomy, or paracentesis of the tympanic membrane. Fluid in the middle ear can be sucked out through the incision.
Ear tubes, or tympanostomy tubes, are small tubes, open at both ends, that are inserted into the incisions in the eardrums during myringotomy. They come in various shapes and sizes and are made of plastic, metal, or both. They are left in place until they fall out by themselves or until they are removed by a doctor.
Other Information
In 2000, children's risk of surgery increased from 17.9% in 1981 to 20.2% in 1998/99, while ENT surgery rates increased by 21% over the period.
From: NCBI
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