What is PE Tube Surgery

PE Tube surgery is a surgical procedure to drain fluid from the eardrum and place a pressure equalization (PE) tube in the ear.

Children may need this procedure if they get ear infections often. They may also need it if fluid has built up behind the eardrum.

In this procedure, a small hole is made in the eardrum. The fluid is drained through this hole. Then the PE tube is placed to keep the hole in the eardrum open. The procedure allows air to flow into the middle ear space. This gives the child’s ear condition time to heal and helps to prevent new ear infections. Usually, the procedure is done in both ears.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• The hole in the eardrum not closing as expected after the tube is taken out.
• The tubes falling out too soon.
• Scarring and thickening of the eardrum. This is rare unless the procedure is repeated several times.

What happens before the procedure?

• Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Ask your child’s health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your child’s regular medicines. This is especially important if your child is taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Giving medicines such as ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your child’s blood. Do not give these medicines to your child before the procedure if your child’s health care provider instructs you not to.
• Ask your child’s health care provider how your child’s surgical site will be marked or identified.
• Your child may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your child’s risk of infection:
  • Your child’s health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your child’s skin will be washed with soap.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your child’s veins. Your child will receive medicine through this tube during the procedure.
• Your child may be given a medicine to help him or her relax (sedative).
• Your child will get a medicine to make him or her fall asleep (general anesthetic). Most of the time, this medicine is given through a mask held over the face.
• The surgeon will use an operating room microscope to examine the inside of your child’s ear.
• Your child’s ear canal will be cleaned with a germ-killing (antiseptic) solution.
• The surgeon will use a long, thin blade to make a surgical cut (incision) through your child’s eardrum.
• The tube will be placed in your child’s ear.
• The surgeon may put ear drops in your child’s ear.
• The same procedure will be repeated in the other ear, if needed.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your child’s blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines he or she was given have worn off.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Any allergies your child has.
• All medicines your child is taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Previous problems you, your child, or members of your family have had with the use of anesthetics.
• Any blood disorders your child has.
• Previous surgeries your child has had.
• Any medical conditions your child has.

PE Tube Surgery, Pediatric, Care After

These instructions give you information about caring for your child after his or her procedure. Your child’s doctor may also give you more specific instructions. Call your child’s doctor if your child has any problems or if you have any questions.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s doctor.
• Give ear drops only as told by your child’s doctor.
• Do not give your child any medicines unless you ask the doctor first. These include over-the-counter medicines for pain.
• Have your child rest at home on the day of the surgery.
• Ask your child’s doctor if you should keep water out of your child’s ears. Your child may need to wear earplugs or another kind of protection when bathing or swimming.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s doctor. This is important. Your child’s doctor will make sure that your child’s tubes:
  • Are working.
  • Do not fall out.
  • Do not stay in longer than needed.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Fluid (discharge) keeps coming from your child’s ear.
• Your child complains of ear pain.