Myringotomy tubes, otherwise known as ear tubes, are small tubes that are surgically placed into the eardrum.
They are also known as pressure equalization tubes. As such, the purpose of these tubes is to equalize the pressure of the middle ear to that of the external ear, or atmospheric pressure. Patients require these tubes when they suffer from Eustachian tube dysfunction. Myringotomy tubes bypass the patient’s dysfunctional Eustachian tube to prevent middle ear fluid accumulation, pressure, or recurrent infection. We place myringotomy tubes in both children and adults with chronic middle ear disease.