Overview
Inserting ear ventilation tubes is very safe and simple, and generally causes no pain or hearing loss. Power-assisted adenoidectomy is safe too, and may reduce the likelihood of another ear infection compared to other methods.1 Each procedure takes about 15 minutes and most children go home the same day.
If there is still fluid behind your child’s eardrums after a course of antibiotics, or if your child has repeated ear infections, your pediatrician may recommend ear ventilation tubes (vent tubes).
If the ear infections are related to swollen or infected adenoids, a power-assisted adenoidectomy may be recommended to remove the adenoids.
Which Therapy Is Right for Your Child?
Whether a power-assisted adenoidectomy or an ear vent tube is right for your child depends on several factors that you should discuss with your child’s pediatrician and an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) or ear specialist.
Surgery: What to Expect
We’ve answered some of the common questions about getting vent tubes and power-assisted adenoidectomies.
1April M, Ward R, Bent J. Power-Assisted Adenoidectomy in the Treatment of Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion. Poster Presentation at American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology, May 4, 2003, Nashville, TN.
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