A Grommet or ventilation tube

This is one of the most common operations performed in this country and indeed one of the commonest performed on children. The usual reason for this operation is children who suffer from glue ear and who therefore have impaired hearing or recurrent infections (acute otitis media) In children the operation is performed under general anaesthetic but in adults it can be performed under local anaesthetic. After the incision has been made in the eardrum the fluid is usually sucked out and the small plastic grommet is inserted through the hole so that one flange lies on either side of the eardrum. Risks and complications - these are rare but occasionally the grommet will become infected. If this is the case the infection can usually be treated by a combination by antibiotics by mouth or in the ear. Rarely it is necessary to remove the grommet. Scarring - repeated grommet insertion is associated with some scarring of the eardrum. In persistent cases of glue ear it occasionally advisable to insert a long-term grommet, (T tube). This has similar complications to the ordinary grommet although they may occur slightly more frequently. The other complication is a persistent perforation of the eardrum once the grommet has fallen out.

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