Ear infections are very common in infants and toddlers. In fact, most children will have at least one ear infection before the age of three. When children suffer from recurrent ear infections, or have excess fluid in their ears, the insertion of ear tubes is often the answer.
Ear infections are very common in infants and toddlers. In fact, most children will have at least one ear infection before the age of three. When children suffer from recurrent ear infections, or have excess fluid in their ears, the insertion of ear tubes is often the answer. Midwest ENT & Allergy in Sioux Falls is now offering a new kind of in-office ear tube placement called the Tula Tympanostomy System.
The Tula System is a safe alternative to the placement of traditional ear tubes in children using a revolutionary local anesthesia system and an automated 1-click tube delivery device that is performed in the clinic, not a hospital or surgery center. Midwest ENT is the only clinic in South Dakota currently offering the Tula System.
The innovative Tula system allows ENT physicians to comfortably place ear tubes in awake children during an office visit. First, the eardrums are numbed with a special numbing solution, and then the TULA device is used to insert the ear tubes quickly and safely without general anesthesia.
Dr. Greg Danielson has been at Midwest ENT & Allergy since 2016 and is performing some of the first ear tube procedures in South Dakota using the Tula System. “We are so excited to be able to offer patients the option of placing ear tubes without the need for general anesthesia,” he says.
The Tula System is FDA approved for children six months and older. The child’s ENT physician will examine them to determine if they are a candidate for TULA. A major advantage of children receiving ear tubes from the Tula System is that the tubes are inserted into the ears much quicker than traditional ear tubes, which decreases the amount of time the child must hold still. Studies show 95% of ears were clear at their 3 week follow up.
“We are typically able to perform Tula in the office in less than 45 minutes. This is a huge time saver compared to several hours in the hospital or surgery center,” states Dr. Danielson.
For those patients who are a good candidate, one of the many benefits of the Tula System is that it is a cost-effective option when compared to traditional ear tubes. The Tula System also does not require anesthesia, making it easier on the children and, of course, their parents. It also does not require a hospital visit, which is another huge advantage of the Tula System.
Dr. Danielson tells us, “By having the option to have Tula performed in the office setting, we can significantly reduce healthcare costs for our families.”
If your child is struggling with recurrent ear infections or ear fluid troubles and you would like to know if the Tula System would be an option to provide relief, contact Midwest ENT & Allergy at (605) 336-3503 to schedule an appointment today! No referral necessary.
Sioux Falls Woman Magazine
By: Natalie Slieter