my son getting tubes in ears

FLAreN · Aug 23, 2007

Unless your son has any underlying medical conditions, the usual anesthesia for this procedure is preop versed by mouth then when he gets into the room, he'll be induced with just nitrous oxide via mask. The procedure literally takes less than minutes and that's only because the surgeon has to move his chair around the microscope to the other side.

As for starting an IV, that's up to your anesthesiologist. Some do, some don't depending on your child's medical history. If he has had any respiratory issues, i.e. asthma, bronchitis, etc. . .then they prolly will start an IV but in my years of pediatric surgery, I have NEVER seen them intubate for ear tubes.

As far as surgeries go, yes, this is probably one of the LEAST complicated and fastest. It is very common. At the end, you will get antibiotic ear drops to put in his ears to prevent infection.

Hope that eases your anxiety. . .any more questions lemme know.

lpnurse! · Aug 23, 2007

thank you!

they said he will have an iv and that for them it is standerd, they said he wont be able to have it removed until he has a pee.

im glad to hear its common short and fast.

and he has no conditions etc.

i appreatite your feedback

FLAreN · Aug 23, 2007

OK . . .so you know they usually start the IV when he is asleep and won't feel it. . .it's just easier and less traumatic that way.

Oh just make sure your son is definitely NPO. . .this is important. If your surgery is scheduled late in the day, ask the ambulatory nurse if it is OK to have clear liquids but defnitely not formula or breast milk.

Mommy2NQ · Aug 23, 2007

My daughter got the procedure done when she was 3. She was getting recurring ear infections and had some hearing loss because of the fluid in the ears. The procedure went well and she has not had an ear infection since. Good luck with your son. He will be fine.

Mommy2NQ · Aug 23, 2007

Also...I think they may schedule the surgery earliest in the day because they can not have anything to eat or drink before. I know for us we were the earliest appointment. Do not worry about the anesthesia. My daughter had her tubes put in and my 1 year old had his testicle brought down all within the same week. It was crazy. Anyway they both had anesthesia and did very well.

rita359 · Aug 23, 2007

My now 27 year old son had to have ear tubes when he was young. Was so upset about it I cancelled one of the surgeries. That was for my benefit, not his. If he needs ear tubes, do it. This is the time he is beginning to be verbal. If he cannot hear speach right he will be delayed in speaking. Now we know that pathways are being arranged in his brain because of all the things he is in contact with, speach being one of them. Not having those pathways right can affect his whole educational experience in life. You can look for research on this or take the word of someone who has been through it and found out later what the consequences of mistakes are.

LuvWounds · Aug 23, 2007

my 1 year old son is getting tubes in his ears next week, can anyone tell me anything i should know. ive read up on it, asked all my questions , but i am afraid for him to have anesthesia, ive been told this is very minor surgery and very fast.
as a mother i m just a nervous wreck, is this surgery as common as people say, ?
is it very safe?
ahhh!!!
i cant wait till its over.

I am an ENT nurse. First this is a very common procedure in childdred with reccuring ear infections. My doctor places the tubes in about 15 minutes top. The entire procedure including anesthesia and awakening following the procedure is 45 minutes.

He will need to be NPO at leat 6 hours prior to the surgery. NPO after midnight most doctors say. The line up for surgery usually goes in order by age. They don't want the babies to have to go to long without eating. The anethesist will be with your child from the moment they administer the anesthesia until they awaken. They are not allowed to leave until their gag reflex has returned (the child). This is usually an in and out procedure give or take maybe 4 hours caluclating in the wait time, processing, RX pick up, surgery, recovery time.

Your child will go right back to normal activity the same day, as well as eating. He can not get his ear wet for at least 4 weeks. when he is bathe, put cotton in his ears. I f he swimm they will reccommend no swimming or placing ear plugs. He will havve a follow up visit in 4 weeks follwing surgery. He will be given ABT drops, please use all the drops. If he was havinng any speech difficuties having the tubes to aleeviate that the ENT will probally refer you to a SLPT

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 23, 2007

My older son had two sets of tubes. He did fine both times. He's now 21 and no ear nor hearing problems.

RNmom08 · Aug 23, 2007

My daughter just had her 3rd set of tubes. It's an easy procedure. Here, they don't even wait for the child to pee before they take out the IV. When they are drinking and keeping that down without aproblem, the IV is taken out and we're released. Her surgery was scheduled for 8:30am. She was in surgery at 8:35 and we were back in the van headed home at 10:30. That was for tubes and adenoids. Most times the kids are playing that same day. I just don't let them ride bikes or anything that involves a lot of balance.

RNmom08 · Aug 23, 2007

oh yeah, they do tell us to watch to make sure they have a pee by a certain time and if they do not to be SURE to call and let them know.

lpnurse! · Aug 23, 2007

Thank you!! thank you!!

for the reasurance, i feel alot better