The relationship between repeat tympanostomy tube insertion and adenoidectomy

Objectives

To examine the relationship between adenoidectomy and repeat tympanostomy tube placement in the treatment of otitis media, and the relationship between potential risk factors for otitis media and repeat tympanostomy tube placement.

Methods

Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of consecutive patients undergoing tympanostomy tube placement at an academic/teaching hospital with 400+ beds. Utilizing an electronic billing database, patients less than 18 years of age undergoing tympanostomy tube placement between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2007 were identified. Information regarding initial and repeat tympanostomy tube placement as well as potential risk factors for otitis media were extracted from medical records.

Results

904 children were included in the study. Of the 780 children who initially underwent tympanostomy tube placement alone, 178 required additional tube placement; a repeat rate of 20%. Of the 90 children who initially underwent tympanostomy tube placement with adenoidectomy, only 6 required repeat tube placement, a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of repeat tympanostomy tube placement (95% CI, 0.056–0.334; p < 0.0001). The presence of craniofacial anomalies and day care/school attendance were significantly associated with additional tube placement. Children between the ages of 4 and 10 showed a significant (p < 0.0001) decrease in the risk of repeat tube placement when an adenoidectomy was performed at the initial tube placement.

Conclusion

Adenoidectomy performed at the first tympanostomy tube for the treatment of otitis media may decrease the risk of repeat tube placement, especially for children >4–10 years of age.     

鼓膜穿刺或鼓膜置管联合腺样体切除治疗儿童分泌性中耳炎疗效分析

目的　对比分析腺样体切除术联合鼓膜穿刺（adenoidectomy with auripuncture,AT+A）与腺样体切除术联合鼓膜置管（adenoidectomy with tympanostomy tube,AT+T）对儿童分泌性中耳炎的临床疗效。方法　选取我院于2010年9月至2014年9月收入治疗的分泌性中耳炎患儿92例,将其根据治疗方式的不同分为AT+T组和AT+A组,其中AT+T组48例,AT+A组44例,回顾性分析两组患者的治疗效果,治疗前后听阈的变化以及术后复发率和感染并发症等一系列临床资料。结果　治疗后随访一年内两组患者听阈得到了明显的下降,纯音听力提高,但两者不存在显著性差异（P >0.05）。AT+T组总有效率97.9%,AT+A组的总有效率为95.4%,两者无显著差异（P >0.05）。AT+T组中耳积液的平均时间为（7.3±0.8）d,感染率为6.3%,复发率为4.2%,AT+A组中耳积液的平均时间为（11.7±0.4）d,感染率为15.9%,复发率为11.4%,均存在显著性差异（P <0.05或P <0.01）。结论　AT+T和AT+A两种治疗方式均能有效的提高分泌性中耳炎患儿的听力水平,对分泌性中耳炎患儿具有良好的治疗效果,但是AT+T较AT+A能显著缩短中耳积液时间,有效降低患儿的复发率和感染率,更加适用于分泌性中耳炎患儿的临床治疗。     

儿童分泌性中耳炎手术治疗后生活质量的评估

目的分析评估儿童分泌性中耳炎患儿鼓膜置管合并腺样体切除的术后疗效及生活质量,为临床治疗提供依据。方法 60例(102耳)儿童分泌性中耳炎患儿分为两组,研究组采用鼓膜置管联合腺样体切除术进行治疗,对照组单纯采用鼓膜置管术进行治疗,评价两组的疗效,并在术前及术后1年左右由患儿家属填写中文版慢性耳病调查量表及OM-6调查问卷,评价患儿的生活质量。结果研究组有效率94.12%,对照组有效率73.08%,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组术前中文版慢性耳病调查量表、OM-6调查问卷评分差异无统计学意义,术后差异显著,有统计学意义;中文版慢性耳病调查量表结果示治疗后各维度的评分均增高,P<0.01;OM-6调查问卷结果示除了言语障碍外,治疗后其他各维度的评分均下降,P<0.01;结论鼓膜置管联合腺样体切除术治疗儿童分泌性中耳炎,能够有效地改善患儿的听力,疗效显著,并提高患儿的生活质量。     

Comparison between myringotomy and tympanostomy tubes in combination with adenoidectomy in 3-7-year-old children with otitis media with effusion

The specific aim of this study was to compare, by means of a randomized clinical trial, the efficacy between the two surgical combinations - adenoidectomy with myringotomy and tympanostomy (A + T) and adenoidectomy with myringotomy (A + M) - in reducing middle ear disease in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). Seventy-eight 3-7-year-old patients (156 ears) with a history of bilateral middle ear effusion for at least 3 months were randomly assigned to either A + T or A + M. Hearing threshold levels, recurrence rate of the effusion and episodes of acute otitis media (AOM) and otorrhea were evaluated for a follow-up period of 1 year. Audiometry testing showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the hearing loss levels of both groups during the whole follow-up period. Free of AOM episodes were 72% of the patients in the A + T group and 75% of those in the A + M group. None of the patients with A + M had episodes with otorrhea which contrasted with the 40% occurrence rate in the A + T group. During the follow-up period we documented a 10% recurrence rate of OME in the A + T group and 14% recurrence rate in the A + M group. Overall our data suggests that the insertion of tympanostomy tubes in association with adenoidectomy provides no additional benefit to adenoidectomy in association with myringotomy alone in terms of hearing loss or AOM episode occurrences in patients with bilateral otitis media with effusion. Furthermore no relationship was found between the choice of operative intervention and the recurrence rate of OME despite the slightly greater relative risk in the A + M group.     

Post-operative haemorrhage in tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children

A second anaesthetic for bleeding after adeno-tonsillectomy in children represents a significant hazard. The true incidence of this complication is assessed for over 20,000 operations. The incidence of bleeding after adeno-tonsillectomy was found to be the sum of bleeding post-adenoidectomy and post-tonsillectomy. Bleeding post-adenoidectomy is at least as common as post-tonsillectomy and both occur most frequently within 12 hours of operation. No reason for the bleeding occurring in these particular patients could be found.     

低温等离子刀辅助内镜下儿童扁桃体和腺样体切除术临床效果分析

目的:比较低温等离子刀辅助内镜下切除儿童扁桃体和腺样体(rT+A)和传统剥离法切除扁桃体、刮匙法刮除腺样体(cT+A)的手术效果差异.方法:47例扁桃体肥大伴腺样体肥大的患儿,其中24例采用rT+A术式,23例采用cT+A术式,采用t检验比较两组手术时间、术中出血量、术后疼痛时间和假膜脱落时间的差异.随访患儿手术前后听...     

Anesthetic complications of tympanostomy tube placement in children

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of perioperative anesthesia complications during bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement (BMTT). SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital where otolaryngology attending physicians and residents performed surgical procedures. Anesthesia providers included pediatric anesthesiologists, residents, nurse anesthetists, and students. METHODS: Medical record review was performed for a consecutive series of 3198 children undergoing BMTT (1000 prospectively, 2198 retrospectively). For the prospectively studied patients, major adverse events, which included laryngospasm and stridor, and minor adverse events, including upper airway obstruction, prolonged recovery, emesis, and persistent postprocedural agitation, were noted. Also recorded were the patient's American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical class status, age, concurrent medical conditions, and type of anesthesia provider. RESULTS: Fewer than 9% of prospectively studied pediatric patients experienced a minor adverse event, whereas a major event occurred in 1.9%. Eighty-one percent of the events experienced were attributable to agitation or prolonged recovery. Neither ASA status (P =.38), age (P =.15), nor type of anesthesia provider (P =.06) were significantly related to the occurrence of an adverse event. However, a child with an acute or chronic illness has 2.78 times the odds of experiencing an adverse event compared with a child with no illness (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesia administered for placement of tympanostomy tubes by physicians who specialize in the care of children in a tertiary care children's hospital is safe. The most significant predictor of a minor anesthetic event during BMTT is the presence of a preexisting medical condition or concurrent acute illness.     

儿童扁桃体、腺样体低温等离子切除术后出血的临床研究

目的 探讨应用低温等离子手术或者传统手术方式行儿童扁桃体、腺样体切除术在术后出血方面存在的差异。方法 回顾性分析1597例接受手术治疗的儿童慢性扁桃体炎、腺样体肥大的患者资料,行等离子射频辅助的扁桃体和(或)腺样体切除术者793例(等离子组),行传统扁桃体切除和(或)腺样体者804例(传统组)。比较两组原发性及继发性出血的发生率、出血程度和出血部位的差异。结果 等离子组发生术后出血25例(3.2％),传统组出血19例(2.4％),两组间差异无统计学意义(χ2=3．34,P>0．05);其中等离子组原发性出血9例(1.1％),继发性出血16例(2.0％);传统组原发性出血11例(1.4％),继发性出血8例(1．0％),两者比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=9．45,P<0．01)。两组术后的出血部位经卡方检验,出血程度经Wilcoxon秩和检验,P值均>0．05,差异均无统计学意义。结论 低温等离子辅助行儿童扁桃体、腺样体切除术,在术后出血的发生率、程度、部位三个方面相对于传统的手术方法治疗,二者差异无统计学意义。     

Water precautions in children with tympanostomy tubes.

PURPOSE: The necessity and effectiveness of taking precautions around water with children who have tympanostomy tubes is a source of some controversy among otolaryngologists. This study was undertaken to survey the practice standards of otolaryngologists treating these children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,266 board-certified otolaryngologists practicing (mean 14.8 years in practice) in the southern and eastern United States were surveyed to determine current recommendations. RESULTS: Among those surveyed, 13.1% forbid children with tympanostomy tubes from swimming, whereas 3.1% feel that no water precautions are needed. Limitations are placed in the depth of swimming by 68% and the type of swimming water by 18%. The most commonly recommended form of protection is the use of ear plugs, which is favored by 53.4%. Liberalization of recommendations concerning the need for water precautions was noted by 79% of respondents who cited personal experience as the single most influential factor. An overwhelming percentage of respondents indicated they would be willing to alter their current practice based on new information generated from a clinical trial. CONCLUSION: This survey demonstrates that diversity of opinion does exist among otolaryngologists relative to their recommendations for water precautions after placement of tympanostomy tubes. This survey demonstrates the need for a prospective randomized clinical trial designed to address this issue.     

Postoperative behavioral changes in children after adenoidectomy

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common complaint after adenoidectomy. Behavioral changes after adenoidectomy in children have been reported, and it has been concluded that postoperative pain significantly affects the occurrence of behavioral changes. Behavioral changes, when a proactive pain treatment has been used, have not been systematically studied. OBJECTIVE: To assess postoperative behavioral changes in children who have undergone day-case adenoidectomy with proactive pain treatment. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, randomized clinical trial. SETTINGS: Ambulatory Care Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. PATIENTS: Three hundred consecutive children, aged 1 to 10 years, who underwent day-case adenoidectomy during 1999 through 2000. INTERVENTION: In the hospital, 213 children received the first dose of ketoprofen before surgery and 87 children received the first dose at discharge. For pain treatment after discharge, patients were given ketoprofen tablets or suppositories on a regular basis for 72 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of postoperative behavioral changes were evaluated with 3 consecutive questionnaires, at baseline before surgery, 1 week after surgery, and 3 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 294 questionnaires (98%) were returned after 1 week and 255 questionnaires (85%) after 3 weeks. Most children (91%) had pain after discharge and the mean for pain cessation was 3 days (range, 0-8 days). The mean of ketoprofen doses after discharge was 6 (range, 1-24 doses). Most of the children showed no or only trivial postoperative behavioral changes, and, furthermore, at 3 weeks, more positive than negative changes were reported. The child's age was a significant factor (P<.05) in affecting behavioral changes for all domains. Other significant factors were the worst pain at rest (P =.04) and during swallowing (P =.02) for daytime function disturbances, and fear of separation from parents (P =.03) for sleep disturbances. CONCLUSION: Day-case adenoidectomy with proactive pain treatment seems to result in a negligible incidence of behavioral troubles in children.     

Superior adenoidectomy in children with palatal abnormalities

When treating a child with a palatal abnormality for otitis media or a nasal obstruction, otolaryngologists often face the question of whether the benefits of adenoidectomy are worth the risk of the development of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Treatment options for these patients include a complete adenoidectomy, a partial adenoidectomy, or no surgical intervention. In this retrospective study, we describe the outcomes of 22 such patients who were treated with a superior adenoidectomy performed with a St. Clair adenoidforceps under indirect vision with a laryngeal mirror. All patients experienced a complete or near-complete resolution of their nasal obstruction, and none developed permanent velopharyngeal insufficiency. Only three patients experienced a recurrence of otitis media. Our experience suggests that superior adenoidectomy is a safe and effective procedure.     

Outcomes of tympanostomy tube placement in children with Down syndrome—A retrospective review

Objectives

Tympanostomy tubes are commonly used for treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) or recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) in patients with Down syndrome, but hearing outcomes in this population have been mixed, and complications appear to be common. We aim to characterize outcomes and complications associated with tympanostomy tube placement in this population.

Methods

Retrospective review. All patients with Down syndrome presenting to a tertiary academic pediatric otolaryngology practice over a ten year period from 2002 to 2012 who received tympanostomy tubes for COME, RAOM, or hearing loss were reviewed.

Results

Long term follow up data was obtained in 102 patients, with average follow up 4.7 years. COME was the primary indication for tube placement in 100/102 (98%). Less than half of these patients (44%) initially failed their newborn hearing screen. Post operative hearing was found to be normal or near normal for the better hearing ear in 85/99 (85.9%), and normal to near normal in bilateral ears in 71/99 (71%). A majority (63.7%) of patients required two or more sets of tubes during the follow up period. Long term complications were common and were significantly increased if the patient required three or more sets of tubes, including chronic perforation (36.6% vs 8.2%, p < 0.001), atelectasis (29.3% vs 1.6%, p < 0.0001), and cholesteatoma (14.6% vs 0%, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

COME is a frequent problem in Down syndrome, and the majority of patients will require two or more sets of tubes during their childhood and achieve normal postoperative hearing. Long term complications of otitis media appear to be more common in this population and appear to correlate with increasing number of tubes placed. More investigation is required to determine optimal treatment strategies for COME in patients with Down syndrome.     

Identification of hypoxaemia in children having tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy

A series of children having tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy was investigated for hypoxaemia during sleep and to assess the value of signs and symptoms as predictors of hypoxaemia. Forty-four children were studied the night before surgery. Oxygen saturation (SaO2) was measured whilst the child was awake using a pulse oximeter and when the child was asleep oxygen saturation. ECG and chest impedance were continuously monitored and recorded. In addition, 20 control children having urological surgery were studied in the same way. All the measures of hypoxaemia (awake SaO2, baseline asleep SaO2, number of hypoxaemic episodes) differed significantly between patients and controls (P less than 0.01). When significant hypoxaemia was defined as a baseline sleeping SaO2 below 90% or one dip in SaO2 of at least 10% below the baseline per hour 15 children were found to have abnormal studies. These children could not be identified from history or clinical examination but using the criteria of mouth breathing, audible respiration at rest and an awake SaO2 of less than 96%, 14 of the 15 children were accurately identified (93% sensitivity, 86% specificity). Thus a combination of the physical signs of mouth breathing and measurement of oxygen saturation whilst awake may provide a useful clinic screening test for children suspected of suffering from sleep apnoea.     

Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes following adenoidectomy in children

OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe various preoperative and diagnostic findings of children undergoing adenoidectomy and (2) to evaluate quality of life outcomes following adenoidectomy in children. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study. Patients who were candidates for adenoidectomy at The Hospital for Sick Children were evaluated with respect to preoperative symptoms, flexible nasal endoscopy (FNE) findings, and nasal airflow (NAF) studies. Following surgery, a quality of life questionnaire was administered to all available patients and an attempt was made to repeat the NAF study. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included in the study (31 females and 26 males). The average age of the patient at surgery was 10.1 years. Thirty patients (52.6%) had a significant NAF study, whereas FNE revealed an average nasopharyngeal obstruction of 73.2%. We did not find any correlation between preoperative symptoms, FNE findings, or NAF study results. The degree of symptom reduction was the only predictor of how satisfied a patient would be in the postoperative period (p<.05). CONCLUSION: In our study of adenoidectomy patients, clinical signs and symptoms appear to be more predictable than the objective tests of NAF and FNE. As such, following these symptoms in the postoperative period is important in determining a patient's satisfaction following surgery.     

Outcome of adenoidectomy versus adenoidectomy with maxillary sinus wash for chronic rhinosinusitis in children

OBJECTIVES: To compare postoperative outcomes of adenoidectomy versus adenoidectomy with maxillary sinus wash as surgical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in children. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data. METHODS: Children who failed to respond to medical therapy for CRS and had an adenoidectomy alone (A) or an adenoidectomy with a maxillary sinus wash (wash/A) were reviewed. Outcome was assessed at least 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Sixty children who satisfied the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Thirty-two of the children had a sinus wash at the time of adenoidectomy. The age range was 3 to 13 years (mean, 6.3 years) and the mean computed tomography (CT) score was 6.1. The two surgical groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, presence of allergies, asthma, and smoking in the household. Twenty-eight (87.5%) of the 32 patients who underwent wash/A showed improvement of their symptoms after 12 months follow-up compared with 17 (60.7%) of 28 patients who underwent A (P = .017). Multivariable analysis using logistic regression analysis with age, sex, asthma, allergy, and CT score as covariables showed that the success of wash/A compared with adenoidectomy was higher (93% to 60%) for children with a high CT score compared to those with a lower CT score (P = .011). None of the other variables showed statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Children with more severe sinus disease as evidenced by a high CT score had a higher success rate if a maxillary sinus wash was performed at the time of adenoidectomy. Children with a low CT score did not have that benefit.     

Long-term results of Goode's tympanostomy tubes in children.

The results of a retrospective study of the complications of middle ear ventilation by Goode's T-tubes in children are presented. 248 T-tubes were inserted into 119 patients. 16.9% progressed to spontaneous extrusion with a mean period of ventilation approaching 20 months. 54.9% of patients experienced otorrhoea which was found to be significantly more common in those ears with a mucoid effusion at the time of T-tube insertion. 21.1% of ears developed a persistent perforation where spontaneous extrusion had occurred or the T-tubes had been removed. Perforation also occurred more frequently in those with otorrhoea.