Myringotomy has a high success rate. Patients generally experience restored hearing very quickly, and usually report decreased feelings of pressure and pain in the ears. Because the tubes clear fluid from the middle ear, the patient also may experience fewer ear infections.

Improved hearing is a major benefit of myringotomy in children. Children with decreased hearing are at risk for slower language development and increased risk of learning disabilities.

Some patients who undergo a myringotomy procedure will experience minor complications. These typically include:

• Need to repeat surgery. Tubes that fall out too soon may need to be replaced by another set.
  
  
• Scarring of the eardrum (tympanosclerosis). Not unusual for patients who undergo myringotomy. Rarely, this can lead to minor hearing loss in some patients.
  
  
• Thickening of the eardrum. Over time, increased blood flow to the eardrum may cause a thickening, which can affect hearing in a small percentage of patients.
  
  
• Recurrent inflammation of the middle ear space. This also can cause thickening of the eardrum, affecting the hearing of the patient.
  
  
• Persistent pus (otorrhea) discharge from the ear. This is a common complication of myringotomy and can be a recurrent problem in some patients. However, antibiotics usually are an effective treatment for the infection.
  
  
• Tube blockage. Recurrence of ear fluid and subsequent infections is likely if a tube becomes blocked.
  
  
• Tube slippage. Tubes sometimes slip out of place and fall into the middle ear. They then must be surgically removed.
  
  
• Tissue formation behind the eardrum (cholesteatoma). This is a form of benign tumor that can cause hearing loss if not treated. Surgery is the only treatment for removing this tumor.
  
  
• Permanent eardrum perforation. This occurs in a small number of patients, but can usually be corrected via surgery to patch the perforation.  

Myringotomy also carries the typical risks associated with any surgery, such as bleeding and infection. Patients also may have a reaction to anesthesia, including breathing problems.

A physician should be contacted if any of the following occurs after a myringotomy:

• Drainage from the ear (more than a minimal amount after 72 hours)
• Increased ear pain
• Fever
• Swelling
• Redness
• Excessive bleeding
• Tube is displaced out of the ear