Shared Decision Making and Office Insertion of Tympanostomy Tubes

Office insertion of tympanostomy tubes in young children without anesthesia is facilitated through shared decision making with families, including a candid discussion about anticipated pain (which is usually brief and transient) and how their child might react to being restrained. This commentary elaborates on the rationale for office tube insertion as an alternative to general anesthesia, including a clinical decision aid and suggestions for optimizing outcomes.