• Reference Number: HEY1073/2022
• Departments: Day Surgery (DSU), Paediatrics
• Last Updated: 1 October 2022

Introduction

This advice sheet has been produced to give you information and advice about the insertion of a T-Tube. It is not meant to replace discussion between you and your child’s doctor.  If after reading it, you require further explanation please discuss this with the relevant person who has been caring for your child.

Your child’s consultant is ____________________________

Surgery performed by________________________________

Should you need any further help or advice, please telephone:

Acorn Ward, Women and Children’s Hospital HRI

Telephone: (01482) 382609 or 382679

Follow-up

The consultant may wish to see your child again a few months after the operation, if so an appointment will be sent through the post.

School

Your child will be able to return to school / nursery in 24 – 48 hours. If you feel your child need a little longer to recover we are happy for you to use your own judgement. Your child will not be able to go swimming for about two weeks.

After the Operation

A blood stained discharge may occur for two to three days after the tubes have been inserted, this is not unusual. If this discharge becomes excessive, yellow, or your child becomes feverish or unwell you will need to see your doctor as a course of antibiotic drops may be required.

Pain relief

There may be a certain amount of discomfort after the tubes have been inserted. It should settle within a couple of days and be resolved completely within a couple of weeks. We recommend that for the first 24 – 48 hrs you have a supply of paracetamol syrup and / or Ibuprofen available.  (Ibuprofen may not be suitable for asthmatics)

General Care

For about two weeks you will need to protect your child’s ears when washing their hair.  This is best done by gently plugging the outer ear with cotton wool dipped in petroleum jelly.  Take care not to push the cotton wool deep into the ear canal.

When using cotton buds avoid cleaning inside the ear canal and only clean the outer visible part of the ear.  Cotton buds can be damaging when used incorrectly.

Information about your child

We collect and use your child’s information to provide your child with care and treatment.  As part of your child’s care, your child’s information will be shared between members of the healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet.  Your child’s information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service and to help with research.  Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health or social organisations that provide your child with care.  All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it.  If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for your child.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about your child. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You  www.hey.nhs.uk/privacy/data-protection

If you or your child’s carer needs information about your child’s health and well-being and about your child’s care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.