6 weeks ago my 7 year old son had ear tubes put in for the 3rd time. He's already had 2 ear infections since then. Today was his 6 week post-op exam and hearing test. The person doing the test said his right ear tube seemed to be blocked. He then saw his ENT who did his surgery. She said the tube isn't blocked but it some how rotated so it doesn't help with draining the fluid. I asked if it rotated from my son sleeping on it or if he could have done something to cause it to rotate. I already knew the answer but wanted to hear it from her. She said no. If he couldn't do anything to cause it to rotate then what did? She said this is the first time she's seen this and the tubes are not known to do this.
This surgery was done at a very reputable hospital. I've looked online and can't find anything about them rotating. Has anyone experienced this? I asked her what was the next step and she said to wait and see if he continues to have ear infections.My son has sensory processing disorder and doesn't feel pain like he should. His last infection was so bad it was draining from his eyes. I try to keep an eye on it but since he doesn't complain about the pain it makes it very difficult.
The day of his surgery was horrible! They discharged him as he was vomiting. I basically had to raise hell for them to put him back in recovery and give him something for nausea. In recovery, the nurses weren't paying attention to kids waking up from anesthesia. Instead they were complaining about how the were sick of working 120 hour weeks because they were understaffed. They are so busy that even for an existing patient for several years has to wait 6 weeks to be seen!
I'm worried this hospital/doctor were so busy that the doctor screwed up at my son's expense.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Added: I really appreciate the responses I've recieved. But I'm really trying to find out if anyone has experienced the ear tube rotating to where it is not functional?
I do have an otoscope and I watch for him to have ear infections. That one came on bad very fast-over night. He's had chronic ear infections since he was a baby. I understand the nausea with anesthesia and everything. There was NO way to get him home. Movement in the wheelchair was making him sick. He was screaming and crying because he was so dizzy and sick to his stomach. He was pale. His lips were purple. He vomited multiple times-until he was dry heaving. He should not have been discharged so early and the doctor agrees with this.
wow, what a miserable situation! it's a nightmare when you don't feel you can trust the hospital.
both my boys had tubes, with varying degrees of success. we never had a situation where the tubes rotated, that i know of. they did fall out.
is there another OTO whom you could get to take a look and give an opinion?
khairete
S.
Sorry to hear of your experience.
Nausea and pain is pretty common after tube surgery - we knew what to expect so weren't as concerned - we brought a garbage can for the drive home (vomit). My kids all experienced this. If you weren't aware before then I could see how that would be distressing.
Our tubes became dislodged with wax buildup. We use olive oil to soften the wax. They won't work if they are embedded in wax.
My children had chronic ear infections since infancy. They don't have sensory processing disorder - we were told by our ENT team that kids who grow up with pain become used to it unfortunately - I didn't always know they had infections. As they got older and with the tubes - it got easier.
We have also had tubes fall out (one time we had to replace them).
Hopefully they will be able to adjust it or replace.
Good luck :)
Just a thought...Can you get the instrument used to check ears and ask your doctor to show you what to look for with an infection so you can keep an eye on him without running him to the doctor constantly? I would sure hate to see your son with such a severe infection his eyes are draining again.
