60 Minute(s)
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
617-243-6000
Need to talk to us?
What can we help you find?
Open 24 hoursLab Hours and Holiday Hours Vary
307 W Central St
Natick, MA 01760
617-243-5345
159 Wells Ave
Newton Centre, MA 02459
617-243-5777
111 Norfolk Street
Walpole, MA 02081maps
978 Worcester Road (rte 9)
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482
781-235-5200
Open 24 hours
Lab Hours and Holiday Hours Vary
25 Washington Street
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481
617-219-1520
9 Hope Ave
Waltham, MA 02453
617-243-5590
Monday through Saturday: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Section Menu
During a Myringotomy a small incision is placed in the ear drum to drain the fluid and relieve pressure from the middle of the ear. A small tube shaped like a spool of thread, known as pressure-equalizing (P.E.) tube, is placed into the opening to ventilate the ear and prevent fluid from accumulating. The ear drum heals around the tubes. The tubes are expected to fall out naturally in 6-12 months or may be removed by a physician.
Your child has received general anesthesia for this procedure. He/she may feel somewhat dizzy and/or sleepy after the surgery. Anesthetic agents can remain in one’s body for up to 24 hours. It is important for your child to rest for the remainder of the day and be under adult supervision. Your child should not ride his/her bike or perform such activities that require coordination.
Once your child feels better, all normal activities may be resumed. Your child may have a small amount of bleeding or light yellow fluid from the ear(s). Please notify the doctor's office if the drainage is continuous or the bleeding is excessive. The doctor may send your child home with some ear drops to prevent a bacterial infection.
If there is cotton in the ears, it may be removed in the afternoon or evening after surgery. Additional considerations include:
Try to avoid water from entering into the ear for up to 10 days. However, it is more of a problem if soap enters the ear through the tubes than if water does. For this reason, when washing hair or showering, use ear plugs. Washing ears with a face cloth is allowed. Use ear plugs when swimming as well.
A slight earache is not unusual. This is usually relieved by giving your child Acetaminophen or Tylenol. Severe pain must be reported to your physician.
Contact the Otolaryngology Department at 617-630-1699 with any questions.