Ear Tubes (Myringotomy)

Ear tubes are small tubes that are surgically placed into your child's eardrum to allow air into the middle ear. The tubes, made of plastic, metal, or Teflon, can also be called tympanostomy tubes, myringotomy tubes, ventilation tubes, or PE (pressure equalization) tubes. The tubes are placed to help drain the fluid out of the middle ear in order to reduce the risk of ear infections.