Otitis treatment with tympanostomy tube placement

Management of patients with otitis media (the most common type of otitis) often might end up with tympanostomy tube placement, especially in the case of chronic disease. A tympanostomy tube is only 1,5 mm long and helps to keep the middle ear well aerated, preventing possible relapses of fluid accumulation. Tympanostomy tube placement is a fast-to-perform treatment that tops the list of the most common among ambulatory surgeries. The urge to place a tympanostomy tube is determined mainly by the ineffectiveness of other otitis treatment methods, including eardrum surgeries. Many patients who got a tympanostomy tube once will need to use this treatment method again at some point. The doctor uses a microscope to visualize the eardrum and create a small incision on the lower part of its surface. Next, they drain all the liquid accumulated in the middle ear and install a tympanostomy tube using the incision they created earlier. Many types of tympanostomy tubes are available, made of hydroxyapatites, metals, plastics, silicone, etc. , so patients and surgeons have a broad range of options. Following the tube placement, the content of the middle ear evacuates appropriately, which helps the ear infection resolve. After the treatment, ENT doctors might easily remove the tube. However, in many cases, it falls off on its own.