8-Year-Old Experiencing Eardrum Perforation Following Tube Removal
Greetings, Reddit medical community, I am reaching out regarding our 8-year-old daughter, who had her ear tubes extracted about six months ago after being inserted for a year. During the removal, one tube dislodged on its own, while the other required intervention from an ENT specialist. Unfortunately, the removal of the second tube resulted in a perforation of her eardrum. We were advised to monitor the situation to see if the eardrum would self-repair. However, after a period of six months, there has been no significant healing. The ENT presented us with a few choices: 1. We can continue to observe for another six months to see if natural healing occurs. 2. A surgical option exists to patch the perforation using cartilage grafted from the ear. The ENT recommends waiting until she turns 9, as this would allow the Eustachian tube to grow and develop further. Proceeding with this now carries a risk of the graft failing, given her current age. 3. Another possibility is to use a paper patch, which only requires local anesthesia. We inquired about the feasibility of performing this under general anesthesia due to her age, but the ENT expressed a preference for the graft method in that case (option 2). At this point, we are inclined to wait for another six months while continuing to monitor her condition. Alternatively, we considered the paper patch with general anesthesia, but it seems that our ENT does not support this approach. Currently, she exhibits no symptoms such as drainage, discomfort, or hearing loss. What recommendations do you have? Has anyone experienced a similar situation with their child? Thank you for your insights!
Answers (1)
8/7/2025, 11:50:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your daughter's situation regarding her eardrum perforation. It’s understandable to seek clarity and support during this challenging time. Here's a summary and some helpful recommendations based on your description:
Key Points:
- Your daughter has had a perforated eardrum without significant healing after six months.
- You have options to either wait, pursue surgical options later, or consider a paper patch.
- Currently, she exhibits no distress or hearing issues.
Explanation:
A perforated eardrum can result from various factors, including trauma, infections, or in this case, post-tubing complications. Generally, small perforations often heal on their own, but larger or persistent ones can require intervention. The absence of symptoms like drainage or hearing loss is promising, suggesting her body is coping well.
Next Steps:
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Continue Monitoring: Since the ENT suggested observation and your daughter displays no symptoms, it's reasonable to continue monitoring for the next six months. Maintain regular check-ups to assess any changes.
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Symptom Diary: Keep a log of any changes in her condition, such as any new symptoms (e.g., pain, drainage, changes in hearing) over the next few months. This information can be valuable for future discussions with your ENT.
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Open Communication with the ENT: If choosing to wait, express any concerns you may have about this approach, and discuss clear criteria for when to consider more proactive intervention (like increasing symptoms or persistent lack of healing).
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Educate About the Options: As your daughter approaches 9, start discussing the potential benefits and risks of the surgical graft option as well as the paper patch method, to ensure you’re prepared for that decision.
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Get a Second Opinion: If you feel uncertain or would like to explore the paper patching option further, considering another ENT consult may provide additional perspectives.
It’s completely natural to want the best for your daughter. Trust in the process while being proactive about her care will help you navigate this situation effectively. If you have more questions or concerns as you go, feel free to reach out.
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