Big Relief for a Little Guy
Logan Grant
Feb, 2020
Physicians: Paul Judge, MD; Anne Dudley, DO
As a mother of two young boys, Kristi Grant, 33, was used to the common colds and viruses that can’t seem to be avoided, but when she noticed her youngest son, Logan, constantly tugging at his ears it was cause for concern. Logan was getting frequent ear infections with high fevers and obvious pain. After speaking with Logan’s pediatrician, Anne Dudley, DO, Kristi was advised to seek specialized care at Lakeland Ear, Nose and Throat.
The first step in diagnosing the concern was for Logan to complete an eardrum function test. After reviewing the test results, learning of noticeable delays in speech, and an evaluation of Logan’s symptoms, ear, nose, and throat surgeon, Paul Judge, MD, shared that Logan would be a good candidate for tympanostomy tubes. During the procedure, a small tube is placed through the eardrum to allow the pressure to equalize. The tube placement also helps drain fluid out of the ears to prevent chronic ear infections and allows treatment of ear infections with ear drops instead of oral antibiotics.
“After doing research I found out it was more common in younger children than I realized,” said Kristi.
Each year, more than half a million ear tube surgeries are performed on children, making it the most common childhood surgery performed with anesthesia.
“I was scared to be putting my almost two-year-old in any situation that involved surgery, but Dr. Judge was so informative and down to earth that he made me feel at ease.”
Within a week, Logan was scheduled at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles for myringotomy surgery, a procedure where the tube is inserted into the eardrum and excess fluid is suctioned from the ear.
“From the warm and welcoming office staff, to the nurses who prepared Logan for the surgery, they were all amazing,” said Kristi. “They did a great job of making Logan feel comfortable.”
Before the surgery began, Dr. Judge came in and asked if Kristi had questions and made sure she understood what was going to happen. Shortly after Logan was taken back for surgery Dr. Judge returned to the waiting room.
“He came back so quickly that I was afraid something went wrong. But then he said, ‘We’re all done! Everything went great and he’s in recovery.’”
Logan was quickly back to his normal self within 24 hours. Since surgery he has not experienced any ear infections and his hearing has improved.
“I would tell any parent whose child suffers from severe chronic ear infections to talk with their provider and see if surgery is a good fit,” said Kristi. “I’m so happy I did. Logan’s hearing and quality of life is so much better. He is back to being a happy, healthy, and playful boy.”
If you feel your child could benefit from a consultation with an ear, nose and throat specialist call 269.982.3368 in St. Joseph or 269.687.2910 in Niles or visit www.lakelandent.com.
