Our Summary

The researchers in this study were looking at the safest way to place a tube in the ear during surgery, specifically to avoid damaging a nerve called the chorda tympani. They did this by examining the ear structure in cadavers and measuring the distance between the nerve and where the surgical cut would be made, as well as the depth of two areas in the ear.

They found that there was between 0 and 5 mm of space between the nerve and the surgical cut. The two areas they measured, the hypotympanum and the retrotympanum, were on average 2 mm and 1 mm deep respectively.

Based on these findings, the researchers suggested that the surgical cut should be made at a point that is 20% of the height of the tympanic membrane or lower to reduce the risk of nerve damage. They also recommended that the tube used should be approximately 2 x 1 mm in size to fit properly into the ear.

FAQs

  1. What is the safe distance between the chorda tympani nerve and the tympanic sulcus during ear tube surgery?
  2. What is the average depth of the hypotympanum and retrotympanum in ear tube surgery?
  3. How is the placement of grooves drilled during ear tube surgery determined?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about ear tube surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully, including keeping the ear dry and avoiding activities that may introduce water or debris into the ear canal. It is also important to attend follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and function of the ear tubes.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended ear tube surgery are those who experience chronic ear infections, fluid buildup in the middle ear, frequent ear infections that do not respond to antibiotics, hearing loss due to fluid buildup, and recurrent ear infections that affect speech or language development in children. Additionally, patients with eustachian tube dysfunction, cleft palate, Down syndrome, or other conditions that affect the function of the middle ear may also be recommended for ear tube surgery.

Timeline

Before ear tube surgery:

  1. Patient experiences recurrent ear infections or fluid buildup in the middle ear.
  2. Patient may have hearing loss or balance issues due to the ear issues.
  3. Patient consults with an ENT specialist who recommends ear tube surgery as a treatment option.

After ear tube surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes a quick and minimally invasive surgical procedure to insert tiny tubes into the eardrums to help ventilate the middle ear and prevent fluid buildup.
  2. Patient may experience some mild discomfort or ear drainage immediately after the surgery.
  3. Patient’s hearing and balance gradually improve as the ear heals and the tubes help drain excess fluid.
  4. Patient follows up with the ENT specialist for routine check-ups to monitor the tubes and ensure they are functioning properly.
  5. Eventually, the tubes fall out on their own or are removed by the ENT specialist, and the patient’s ear issues are resolved.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the purpose of ear tube surgery and how will it benefit me?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with ear tube surgery?
  3. How will the surgery be performed and what is the recovery process like?
  4. Will I need to follow any specific post-operative care instructions?
  5. How long will the ear tubes stay in place and will they need to be replaced in the future?
  6. What is the success rate of ear tube surgery in treating my specific condition?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments or options available for my condition?
  8. How often will I need to follow up with you after the surgery?
  9. Are there any restrictions or limitations I should be aware of after the surgery?
  10. Do you have experience performing ear tube surgery and what is your success rate with this procedure?

Reference

Authors: Guidera AK, Benoiton L, McManus L, Dawes PJ. Journal: J Laryngol Otol. 2016 Jan;130(1):69-75. doi: 10.1017/S0022215115003072. Epub 2015 Nov 16. PMID: 26567769