Draining the ear fluid: Overview

Collection of ear fluid can be the result of many different factors and most often an excessive secretion in the middle ear cavity or an infectious process in the same region would be the culprit. Such accumulations would cause the middle ear pressure to build up and can impair the hearing from the affected ear. In most instances, the secretions that are accumulated would drain through the Eustachian canal and therefore ear fluid accumulation would be most likely when this passage becomes blocked as well.

The draining of the ear fluid would be a decision made by the ENT surgeon and it will accompany medications to counteract the inflammation as well as any infections. These medications would include antibiotics, steroids as well as anti inflammatory agents. In instances where these medications fail to bring about a lasting relief or else the condition recur over and over again, the surgeons will perform the procedure known as 'myringotomy' to drain the ear fluid.

The procedure includes sedating the patient under general anesthesia and inserting a tiny tube through the tympanic membrane or the 'ear drum' to make the inside cavity to open directly in to the outside air. This passage which is known as the 'tympenostomy tube' and it is a grommet shaped plastic tubing. The tube will be allowed to be in place till it sheds itself and within few weeks the accumulated fluid would drain completely and allow the middle ear inflammation or infection to heal as well.

Myringotomy is said to be the commonest surgery performed in children in US under general anesthesia and through this one could imagine the extent of the problem as well as the safety of this procedure.