The procedure for inserting ventilation tubes takes just minutes. Children are typically sedated with gas anesthesia administered by a mask. No I.V., intubation, or pre-operative labs are required. The child simply breathes the anesthetic while the tubes are inserted and the ear is carefully examined.

Following the insertion, the child just breathes room air or oxygen and wakes up, and can then go home. The surgeon will select a tube that will remain in place until the middle ear infection improves and the Eustachian tube returns to normal. This may require several weeks or months.

Most people notice a remarkable improvement in hearing and balance as well as a significant decrease in the frequency of ear infections.