Ear snakes

Ear tubes drain fluid from the middle ear. Ear tubes can help children who have repeated, long-term ear infections, also known as chronic otitis media. Ear tubes can also help children who have fluid buildup in the ear after an infection has cleared, known as otitis media with effusion.

The tubes are placed during an outpatient surgery called a myringotomy. A surgeon makes a small hole in the eardrum to suck fluid out of the middle ear. The surgeon then puts the ear tube into the opening to help air get to the middle ear and to prevent more fluid from building up.

Young children will likely be given medicine to put them to sleep for the operation, also known as general anaesthesia.

Some tubes remain in place for 6 months to 2 years. They fall out by themselves. Other tubes are intended to last longer. They may need to be removed with another surgery.

The hole in the eardrum usually closes again after the tube falls out.