Question 1

what is the definition or description of: tympanostomy?

Accepted Answer

Tympanostomy: Tympanostomy = surgical incision of eardrum.

Question 2

what is the treatment for tympanostomy?

Accepted Answer

It depends;see below: It depends on whether ear tubes were placed in the holes created in the eardrum, and if so, which type of tubes were placed.  The ENT doctor doing this procedure can tell you what, if anything needs to be done afterwards.

Question 3

is it important how big the tympanostomy tubes are?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in length: In general, the longer the tube used, the longer they will stay in before naturally working themselves out, and the longer the child benefits from them.

Question 4

what is the definition or description of: tympanostomy tube?

Accepted Answer

Ear tube: It is the insertion of a small tube into the eardrum. Function is to allow pressure equalization of ear pressure with environmental pressure. Used to reduce incidence of ear infections or middle ear fluid.

Question 5

are there any long-term consequences to having a tympanostomy tube put in?

Accepted Answer

Limited: Tube placemnt (myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement) is a very common procedure with very low risks. The only real "problem" that could develop is that when the tube comes out, the hole that it is in.. Does not close. You would then have a hole in the ear drum (perforation). This can easily be repaired. Overall, very safe and effective procedure - and simple.

Question 6

is having tympanostomy tubes put in a painful operation?

Accepted Answer

No: For an adult... Very simple.. Little to no pain. For a child very little to no pain. Tylenol (acetaminophen) after the procedure is fine and children are usually back to normal activity several hours after the procedure.

Question 7

i have a tympanostomy tube & i wear a hearing aid, all the conditions for fungi growth is there & i had it twice, what the best i can do to avoid it?

Accepted Answer

Ear fungus: Because the ear is a dark, warm, moist place , it offers an ideal environment for fungi to thrive.  The hearing aid occludes the canal and makes the problem worse.   Keep the hearing aids out at night to ventilate the ears -  keep your ears dry.   Make sure you disinfect your hearing aid daily.  Use an antiseptic product that's compatible with your hearing aid.  Check with your audiologist or ent.

Question 8

what to do if my toddler had to get a tympanostomy for getting a lot of ear infections?

Accepted Answer

Confusing question: This is a common practice. A kid has 5 ear infections in a given year or one that has not cleared in 90 days. You get the ear fluid and muck sucked out during surgery and tubes placed. Then you wait.Most kids will decrease the frequency of their ear infections. After 6mo or more the tubes may shed, but head growth may have improved Eustachian tube function enough they are not needed.

Question 9

does myringotomy hurt?

Accepted Answer

Depends: A myringotomy or tympanostomy in an adult is usually done under local anesthesia.  However if the surgeon elects not to inject a local anesthetic, it will definitively hurt for a few seconds.  In children this procedure is almost always performed under general anesthesia.  If there is fluid in the middle ear, local anesthesia in an adult in really needed.

Question 10

how is a myringotomy performed?

Accepted Answer

W/ a microscope: A myringotomy is performed on the ear drum in order to drain fluid from the ear or to place an ear tube in the ear drum.  With the aid of a microscope, an incision is placed on the ear drum.  The doc will place an ear tube if needed.  This can be done in the clinic or in the operating room.

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A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: tympanostomy?

A member asked:

What is the treatment for tympanostomy?

A member asked:

Is it important how big the tympanostomy tubes are?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: tympanostomy tube?

A member asked:

Are there any long-term consequences to having a tympanostomy tube put in?

A member asked:

Is having tympanostomy tubes put in a painful operation?

A member asked:

I have a tympanostomy tube & i wear a hearing aid, all the conditions for fungi growth is there & i had it twice, what the best i can do to avoid it?

A member asked:

What to do if my toddler had to get a tympanostomy for getting a lot of ear infections?

A member asked:

Does myringotomy hurt?

A member asked:

How is a myringotomy performed?

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