Glue Ear And Grommet
Myringotomy With Grommets
- Why does my child need this operation?
- If the child has a hearing loss due to the presence of fluid or glue in the middle ear or if the child gets recurrent middle ear infection not responding to medical treatment myringotomy and grommet insertion will help.
These conditions are due to poor function of the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. The eustachian tube may be prevented from functioning normally by many causes, such as, large adenoids, allergy, or infection of the nose and sinuses.
- What happens during the operation?
- While your child is asleep under a general anesthetic, the surgeon will make a small hole in the ear drum. Any fluid/glue will be sucked out of the middle ear through the hole. After this a hollow plastic tube (grommet) is inserted into the ear drum to ventilate the middle ear.
- How will my child feel after the operation?
- For the first few days there may be clicking or popping sounds in the ears, and the ears may be a little uncomfortable.
- What precautions need to be taken after the operation?
- Keep the ears dry, for example, using cotton wool and Vaseline each time the hair is washed. Your child should not swim until the first out-patient visit, when further advice will be given.
- Will the glue come back after the operation?
- Most children will get better after the operation. If the fluid comes back, grommets or tubes which stay in longer can be inserted if necessary. Further treatment including removal of the adenoids or medical treatment for allergy, may also be necessary.
- How long will my child stay in hospital?
- The procedure is done as a day case.
- How long should my child stay away from school?
- Apart from the day of the operation, there should be no loss of time from school.
- What are adenoids?
- Adenoids are small glands in the throat at the back of the nose. They are there to fight germs.
- Do we need them?
- The body can still fight germs without your adenoids. It is removed only if they are doing more harm than good.
- Why take them out?
- Sometimes children have adenoids so big that they have a blocked nose, so that they have to breathe through their mouths. They snore at night. Some children even stop breathing for a few seconds while they are asleep. The adenoids can also cause ear problems by blocking the tube which joins the nose to your ear.
Other operations
If we are taking adenoids out because of ear problems, we may put in grommets at the same time. If your child has sore throats or stops breathing at night it is a good idea to take their tonsils out at the same time.
- How is the operation done?
- Your child will be asleep for the operation. The adenoid is removed through the mouth.
- How long will my child be in hospital?
- Adenoid surgery is done as a day case. Children need about a week off nursery or school.
They should rest at home away from crowds and smoky places. Stay away from people with coughs and colds.
- What to expect after the surgery?
- Some children feel sick after the operation. This settles quickly. A small number of children find that their voice sounds different after the surgery. It may sound like they are talking through their nose a little. This settles quickly. The child’s nose may seem blocked up after the surgery, but it will clear in a few days.
If the throat feels a sore painkillers can be administered for the first few days. Provide normal food. Eating food will help the throat to heal. Chewing gum may also help the pain.
The child may have sore ears. This is normal. It happens because the throat and ears have the same nerves. It does not mean that your child has an ear infection.
