All children get earaches or ear infections from time to time. If a child develops a persistent infection that does not respond to antibiotics, or if the clear post infection fluid does not get reabsorbed efficiently and quickly, a surgical procedure to drain the fluid and re-ventilate the ear may be suggested. Because the ears could not stay aerated and open, a tiny plastic or metal tube is placed in the eardrum after the fluid is removed in order to keep the ear free of repeat infections while the child grows. This is done as needed, and can be done at SOCH at almost any age. It is an easy procedure to have done and really cuts down on the number of times a child has to take antibiotics for ear infections.
Therapy is similar in adults.
One is recurrent infection that do not respond well to antibiotics or that need recurrent therapy every year. The next is healthy tonsils and adenoids that are too big and cause problems breathing, eating and sleeping because of size. The third is a combination of both of the first two reasons. Adenotonsillectomy is surgery done under general anesthesia in the operating room. There are many different ways to do the surgery, but electrocautery is the most common.