CARE OF THE CHILD WITH TYMPANOSTOMY TUBES

More than two million tympanotomy tubes are placed annually in the Uni ted States, making this operation the most common performed on childre n. This article provides an overview of the applications of tympanotom y tubes for the treatment for otitis media in childhood. The indicatio ns for tube placement are discussed; a visual guide for managing child ren with tympanostomy tubes is presented; an approach to dealing with tube complications is outlined; and guidelines for referral to a pedia tric otolaryngologist are suggested.