This procedure is undertaken for glue ear/otitis media with effusion. The aim of this procedure is to remove fluid behind the drum and allow healthy and fresh air to recirculate in the space behind the drum, until the Eustachian tube can take over this role.

Over time (6-18 months on average) the ear drum will cork screw the grommet out and heal itself. Since the Eustachian tube is now working glue/fluid will no longer build up behind the drum and the condition will remain fixed.

Under a microscope 2mm cut is made in the ear drum, the fluid behind the drum is withdrawn with a tiny vacuum, and a grommet (plastic circular ventilation tube) is inserted into the drum to ensure the hole remains open.

Whilst each patient is different, on average grommets improve hearing by 20bB in the first 6 months in nearly all patients.

By 1 year the benefit over those who do not have surgery is 10dB.

More than two thirds of patients who receive grommets will no longer require further treatments.

In 15% of children, when the ventilation tubes naturally come out, the glue comes back. A repeat procedure could be undertaken and combined with an adenoidectomy to improve the hearing and reduce the chance that they come out too soon again.

5-10% of patients will have ongoing discharge from the ear following surgery. This can be managed with antibiotic ear drops. In rare cases, where antibiotic drops fail to control the discharge the ventilation tube will need to be removed under a quick general anaesthetic.

In 2% of patients, a small hole in the ear drum persists even after the ventilation tube naturally exits. This rarely causes a problem, but if troublesome can be fixed with a small surgical procedure.

A small amount of scarring on the ear drum, where the incision was placed, is common. However, there is no evidence that this has any effect on hearing, even after many years. Additionally, there have been studies that show glue ear itself, if left untreated, can cause scarring on the ear drum.

This is a minor procedure undertaken in operating theatres with a short general anaesthetic in children and normally local anaesthetic in adults, unless specifically requested otherwise.

For all children or adults undergoing a general anaesthetic, you will be expected to avoid food and liquids in the hours before you arrive (you can eat 6 hours before and drink water 2 hours before your arrival to hospital).

You/your child will be checked into a ward and introduced to the nursing team. Your anaesthetist and surgeon will come around and meet you before surgery. You will have a chance to ask any final questions at this stage. Although it is recommended that you should push to have these addressed before your surgery date.

For children, a parent will be allowed to bring their child to the theatre area, where anaesthesia will be started. As the child falls asleep the parent will be escorted back to the ward by the nurse.

The procedure itself takes less than 10 minutes. There is no pain expected following surgery, although there may be a small amount of ear discomfort lasting a day or so. Hearing is noted to improve as soon as fluid is removed from the middle ear.

If undertaken under a local anaesthetic patients can go home straight after the case. A short recovery of 2-4 hours is required if a general anaesthetic was used.

Antibiotic drops are required following the procedure for a week.

Swimming need not be stopped, but wearing ear protection whilst swimming (such as ear plugs) is recommeded to reduce the chance of ear infections and early exit of the ventilation tube.

It is common for clear or even blood stained liquid to discharge from the ears in the first few days after the operation. This requires no treatment other than mopping if it becomes troublesome.