Efficiency of Tympanostomy Tube Insertion in Children with Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion

Han, Kyung Yuhl; Yang, Jin Seok; Yoon, Tae Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic otitis media with effusion is common in the pediatric population. One of the treatment options, which has been met with some criticism, may be the placement of tympanosotmoy tubes. This study was designed to analyze the outcome of children who have undergone tympanosotmoy tubes for the treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion. In addition, we investigated the efficiency of secondary tympanosotmoy tube insertion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 513 ears of children aged under 16 years and treated with tympanosotomy tubes. We documented the resolution rate of effusion, duration in situ of the tubes, prognostic factors, and the rate of complications. We also compared the treatment outcomes of the use of the secondary tympanosotomoy tube with that of the primary tube. RESULTS:The resolution rate of effusion was 87.1% and 70.0% for the primary tubes and the secondary tubes, respectively. The duration in situ of the secondary tube was shorter than that of the primary tube. The rates for complications of using tympaonosotomy tubes such as otorrhea, perfroation, cholesteatoma were relatively low. There were no significant differences between the complication rates of the primary and the secondary tympaonsotmoy tubes. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the use of tympanosotomy tube is effective in treating chronic otitis media with effusion in children. The complication rates of' the secondary tube for recurred or persisted effusion after extrusion of the primary tube are low enough to support further use of this method of therapy.