Treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion: results of tympanostomy tubes

Insertion of tympanostomy tubes to provide prolonged aeration and drainage of the tympanum in cases of chronic secretory otitis media has become the most commonly performed operation in children. To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of current treatments of chronic secretory otitis media, the authors undertook a randomized clinical trial with four treatment arms: myringotomy alone, tympanostomy tubes, adenoidectomy and myringotomy, and the combination of adenoidectomy and tympanostomy tubes. This report describes the preliminary (one-year) outcome in the group of children who were treated with tympanostomy tubes. The observed average differences between the myringotomy and tympanostomy tube groups were small, with the exception of one variable (time to first recurrence). Although the clinical importance of these differences remains to be established, the authors believe they are substantial enough to justify continued use of tympanostomy tubes in the primary surgical therapy of chronic secretory otitis media, when medical therapy and observation indicate the need for drainage to improve hearing or correct anatomic deformities of the tympanum.     

The role of laser assisted tympanostomy (LAT) in treating allergic children with chronic serous otitis media

OBJECTIVES: To assess various prognostic factors influencing the outcome in paediatric patients with serous otitis media, who have undergone laser assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tube placement. Emphasis is given to children with allergies who underwent the procedure. METHOD: Laser assisted tympanostomy was performed on a total of 130 ears (92 individuals) with chronic otitis media with effusion. To determine the quality of patient outcome, the following parameters were evaluated: external auditory canal anatomy, type of anaesthesia used, tympanic membrane and middle ear fluid characteristics, myringotomy size, a history of allergies and the laser device parameters. RESULTS: Multivariable statistical analysis demonstrated that the presence of allergies in children with chronic serous otitis media is significantly correlated with a poor outcome (P < 0.0047). Moreover, the presence of a thick tympanic membrane and/or high viscosity (glue) fluid in the middle ear cavity can also independently influence patient outcome (P < 0.025). Simultaneous adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy, type of anaesthesia (general versus local), external canal anatomy (wide or narrow) and sex, were not statistically important prognostic factors. The type of anaesthesia used, myringotomy size and the laser device parameters were not found to be associated with patient outcome. CONCLUSION: A history of allergies, the presence of a thick tympanic membrane and/or high viscosity fluid in the middle ear cavity are all contraindications for laser assisted tympanostomy without tympanostomy tubes, in children who suffer from chronic serous otitis media. The selection criteria for this procedure in the paediatric population are addressed in detail.     

Efficacy of tympanostomy tube insertion for otitis media with effusion in children with Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Although the insertion of tympanostomy tubes is regarded as an effective treatment for otitis media with effusion in the general population, it remains to be determined whether tympanostomy tube insertion is also effective for otitis media with effusion in children with Down syndrome. The present study was carried out to determine the efficacy of tympanostomy tube insertion in children with Down syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 28 children (18 males and ten females) with Down syndrome and 28 age-matched control children who underwent tympanostomy tube insertion and were followed up for more than 2 years, up to 7 years of age or older. The children were followed up every month for 6 months after the operation and every 2 months thereafter. The tympanostomy tubes were not removed unless granulation tissue appeared around the ventilation tubes. RESULTS: The cure rate for otitis media with effusion was lower in the children with Down syndrome than in the age-matched control children. Sequelae of otitis media with effusion (atelectatic eardrum, permanent perforation of the eardrum and middle ear cholesteatoma) were significantly often encountered in the former group. The children with Down syndrome had more frequent episodes of otorrhea from the tympanostomy tubes than the control children and antibiotic-resistant-bacteria were frequently isolated. Moreover, improvement in hearing acuity after the placement of tympanostomy tubes was not always achieved in children with Down syndrome. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of the tympanostomy tube insertion for children with Down syndrome was much lower than in control children. We propose that in children with Down syndrome conservative management should be the treatment of first choice and that the insertion of tympanostomy tubes should be indicated only when hearing loss due to middle ear effusion is in a severe degree and when pathological changes of the eardrum, such as adhesion and deep retraction pocket formation, are going to occur.     

儿童分泌性中耳炎相关骨导听力下降的临床分析

目的：分析儿童分泌性中耳炎相关的骨导听力下降的病因、诊断和治疗方法。方法：回顾性分析150例（225耳）分泌性中耳炎儿童中35例（37耳）骨导听力下降的临床资料。结果：35例患儿均给予鼓膜切开置管或（和）鼻内镜下腺样体切除术,术后给予药物治疗。34例患儿骨导听阈恢复正常,1例患儿随访6个月改善不明显。结论：35例（23．3％）患儿的暂时性听阈移位或永久性听阈移位的发病机制与分泌性中耳炎有关。儿童分泌性中耳炎的发病病程中有发展成骨导听力下降的可能,应引起高度重视,及早干预避免病情发展。     

Myringotomy with and without tympanostomy tubes for chronic otitis media with effusion

We studied 109 children with otitis media with effusion of 2 months' duration or longer that was unresponsive to medical management. Eighty-six subjects who had neither "significant" hearing loss nor defined symptoms were randomly assigned to receive myringotomy, myringotomy with tympanostomy tube insertion, or no surgery, and 23 subjects with significant hearing loss, defined symptoms, or both were randomly assigned to receive either myringotomy or myringotomy with tube insertion. Myringotomy with tube insertion provided more disease-free time and better hearing than either myringotomy alone or no surgery; however, some subjects who underwent myringotomy with tube insertion developed otorrhea or persistent perforation of the tympanic membrane. Myringotomy offered no advantage over no surgery regarding percent of time with middle-ear effusion, number of acute otitis media episodes, and number of subsequent surgical procedures. These results may not properly be extrapolated to less severely affected children.     

Penetration of Ceftazidime Into Middle Ear Fluid in Children With Otitis Media With Effusion

Twenty-five children with otitis media with effusion received ceftazidime 50 mg/kg intravenously before bilateral myringotomy with insertion of tympanostomy tubes. Concentrations of ceftazidime measured in serum and middle ear fluid exceeded 4 mg/L (i.e., largely above the minimal inhibitory concentrations for the gram-negative pathogens commonly recovered from children with otitis media) for at least 4 hours. Mean peak concentrations occurred 30 to 90 minutes after the injection and reached 11 to 14 mg/L. These results are in keeping with the clinical efficacy of ceftazidime in the treatment of chronic middle ear infections in children.     

Effect of 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide and Haemophilus influenza conjugated vaccines on the clinical course of otitis media with effusion

Objective To determine if there is any clinical effect of 23‐valent pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenza type B conjugate vaccine on prognosis of otitis media with effusion. Method All children who have middle ear effusion despite long‐standing antibiotherapy with a beta lactamase stable agent were offered for tympanostomy tube insertion between February 1999 and December 2001. Patients who accepted the surgical intervention were operated under general anesthesia and a Shepard grommet‐type tympanostomy tube was inserted. Those who refused the surgical intervention were vaccinated with 23‐valent pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenza type B conjugate vaccine. State of the middle ear effusion was evaluated at the end of the 12th month in the vaccine group and 1 month after the myringotomy site was healed in the tympanostomy tube insertion group. Results Twenty‐six children in the vaccine group and 37 children in the tympanostomy tube insertion group proved the inclusion criteria at the end of study. Complete or partial resolution of middle ear effusion was observed in 73.1% of 26 children in the vaccine group and 59.5% of children in the tympanostomy tube insertion group. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumonia and Haemophilus influenza type b seems to aid resolution of middle ear effusion in children with otitis media with effusion.     

Laser myringotomy versus ventilation tubes in children with otitis media with effusion: a randomized trial

OBJECTIVES: Insertion of ventilation tubes in children with otitis media with effusion (OME) is an accepted and common treatment procedure. The majority of patients require general anesthesia. Although laser myringotomy can be performed in local anesthesia, evidence is lacking that this treatment modality is an alternative for tubes, and outcome predictors for laser myringotomy are not available. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. METHODS: We screened 1,403 children with chronic OME that were indicated for placement of ventilation tubes. In the eligible patients, we performed laser myringotomy in one ear and placed a tube in the other ear, both within the same patient. Follow-up was scheduled each month for 6 months. Success was defined as absence of effusion or aural discharge. A logistic regression model was used with success of the therapy as binary outcome. This model was based on base-line variables, asked for in a parent's questionnaire. RESULTS: Two hundred eight children received the allocated intervention, and no complications occurred. The mean closure time of the laser perforation was 2.4 weeks, and the mean patency time of the ventilation tube was 4.0 months. The mean success rate was 40% for laser and 78% for tubes. Ten known variables were found to predict middle ear status after therapy. CONCLUSION: Laser myringotomy is a safe but less-effective procedure than insertion of a ventilation tube in the treatment of chronic OME. The prognostic model enables the otolaryngologist to choose the surgical treatment for the child that benefits most: laser myringotomy or ventilation tube.     

Permanent t-tube insertion in two patients with Hurler's syndrome

Hearing loss in mucopolysaccharidosis is usually both conductive and sensorineural. The conductive component is attributable to serous otitis media secondary to dysfunction of the eustachian tube and chronic thickening of the mucosa of the middle ear. The conductive component may persist after myringotomy and insertion of short-term or long-term ventilation tubes. In Hurler's syndrome, death usually occurs in the first decade of life. In our study, we present two cases, a three-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy, who were diagnosed with Hurler's syndrome. Both children have a history of otitis media with effusion requiring repeated short-term ventilation tube insertions that were unsuccessful. Permanent t-tubes were inserted in both cases. Results showed an approximate 20 dB improvement in hearing sensitivity postoperatively for each patient.     

Otological and audiological outcomes five years after tympanostomy in early childhood

OBJECTIVE: Ventilation tubes in the treatment of otitis media in young children remain controversial. Despite abundant research, few prospective long-term follow-up studies have included even a minority of patients under 1 year old. We investigated long-term otological and audiological outcomes in children with recurrent acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion, who were treated early with ventilation tubes. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective follow-up. METHODS: Three hundred five children under 17 months of age received a primary tympanostomy in the Central Hospital of Central Finland (Jyv?skyl?, Finland), and those 281 (92.1%) who were monitored prospectively for 5 years made up the study group. At the final examination, pneumatic otoscope and otomicroscope were used and pure-tone audiometric thresholds of air and bone conduction were measured to define the hearing levels (mean of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 KHz thresholds). RESULTS: Of ears, 67.3% were healed, 7.1% had a retraction of tympanic membrane in pars flaccida and 9.6% in pars tensa, 7.5% had an ongoing otitis media with effusion, 3.9% had a ventilation tube in place, and 4.6% had a tympanic membrane perforation with mean hearing levels of 7.6, 9.0, 16.0, 18.5, 10.5, and 17.7 dB, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing in general was well preserved, and no ear presented with adhesive otitis media or cholesteatoma. Adverse otological and audiological outcomes of these young children did not exceed those presented by others for older counterparts. Tympanic membrane perforations, ongoing otitis media with effusion, and pars tensa retractions were causes of mild conductive hearing loss. Because one third of ears continued to have middle ear disease or sequelae, we emphasize the proper follow-up and restoration of middle ear ventilation with repeat ventilation tubes if not otherwise achieved.     

The feasibility of office-based laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration with tympanostomy tube insertion: the duPont Hospital experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of inserting tympanostomy tubes in children using office-based laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Study consisted of a retrospective review of the charts of all children who underwent office-based laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration with tympanostomy tube insertion from July 1, 1998 to August 31, 2000. Tetracaine eardrops were used for topical anesthesia. Fenestration was achieved with the OtoLAM flashscanner laser (ESC Sharplan, Yokneam, Israel). RESULTS: Of the 127 patients (185 ears) who underwent laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration, 61 ears underwent tympanostomy tube insertion. Ten ears were treated for otitis media with effusion, 43 for recurrent acute otitis media, and eight for acute otitis media not responding to antibiotics. Fifteen ears had purulent effusion, five had a serous effusion, and 23 had mucoid middle ear fluid. Eighteen ears had no middle ear fluid. At the first follow-up visit, all tested ears had hearing of 20 dB or better. Two children had tubes that were blocked. Blockage occurred in ears that required more than one laser firing to penetrate the tympanic membrane. Otorrhea was present in 13 ears (21%). Otorrhea occurred exclusively in ears with purulent or mucoid middle ear fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Office-based laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration with tympanostomy tube insertion is a safe and effective alternative to tube placement in the operating room. The outcome compares favorably with previously published data.     

Predictors of chronic suppurative otitis media in children

OBJECTIVE: To determine which factors predict development of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in children. DESIGN: Case-control study, with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis applied to determine which factors independently predict CSOM. SUBJECTS: Prognostic factors for CSOM were identified in (1) 100 children with CSOM and 161 controls aged 1 to 12 years and (2) 83 children who developed CSOM in the presence of a tympanostomy tube and 136 children with tympanostomy tubes who did not develop CSOM. RESULTS: Independent predictors for CSOM were previous tympanostomy tube insertion (odds ratio [OR], 121.4 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 38.9-379.3]); having had more than 3 upper respiratory tract infections in the past 6 months (OR, 12.2 [95% CI, 3.5-42.3]); having parents with a low education level (OR, 14.1 [95% CI, 2.9-68.6]); and having older siblings (OR, 4.4 [95% CI, 1.6-12.6]). Independent predictors for CSOM after tympanostomy tube insertion were having experienced more than 3 episodes of otitis media in the past year (OR, 4.9 [95% CI, 2.2-11.0]; attending day care (OR, 3.6 [95% CI, 1.7-7.8]); and having older siblings (OR, 2.6 [95% CI, 1.2-5.5]). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with tympanostomy tubes is the most important prognostic factor for CSOM in children. In children who are being treated with tympanostomy tubes for persistent middle ear effusion, the most important prognostic factor for CSOM is a history of recurrent episodes of acute otitis media. This information should be taken into consideration and discussed with parents when considering insertion of tympanostomy tubes in children.     

Development of mastoid air cell system in children treated with ventilation tubes for early-onset otitis media: a prospective radiographic 5-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Although most studies have agreed that small mastoid air cell systems correlate with long-standing otitis media, the extent to which the environmental factors affect the development of MACS remains undetermined. We investigated the radiographic development of mastoid air cell systems in children with recurrent acute otitis media or otitis media with effusion who were treated with ventilation tubes early in life. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective follow-up. METHODS: Of 305 consecutive patients aged less than 17 months with recurrent acute otitis media or otitis media with effusion who received primary tympanostomy in the Central Hospital of Central Finland, 281 (92.1%) were followed for 5 years. Mastoid radiographic films were obtained preoperatively and at the 5-year end-point examination. Mastoid air cell system size was planimetrically measured. RESULTS: Small baseline mastoid air cell system size was associated with young age at the time of first diagnosis of otitis media and small size of the child. Slow growth and small final size of mastoid air cell system related significantly with female gender and with slow overall growth of the child. Slow mastoid air cell system growth was observed in children who required several ventilation tubes during the follow-up period. Small final mastoid air cell system size correlated significantly with unfavorable otological outcome. CONCLUSION: The genetically determined development of mastoid air cell system is arrested in varying degree by environmental factors, particularly by an early onset of otitis media, a long-standing disease, and an unfavorable otological outcome. On the other hand, poor pneumatization seems to be a risk factor for chronic and recurrent infections and, ultimately, for a deficient otological outcome. However, in a vast majority of patients, this untoward development may be reversed by an early and, if needed, repeated tympanostomy.     

Quality-of-life outcomes after surgical intervention for otitis media

OBJECTIVE: To assess the change in disease-specific quality of life in children with recurrent acute otitis media and/or chronic otitis media with effusion treated with surgical intervention. DESIGN: Prospective questionnaire-based outcome study. SETTING: An academic pediatric otolaryngology practice. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive series of 123 children referred for surgical treatment of recurrent acute otitis media and/or chronic otitis media with effusion. INTERVENTION AND METHODS: Surgery included bilateral myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement either alone or with adenoidectomy. An otitis media disease-specific questionnaire was administered before and after surgical intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of the mean percentage change in total ear symptom score between presurgery and postsurgery scores at 1 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean percentage change in total ear symptom score was a 74.5% improvement (P<.001) at the 1-month follow-up and a 59.8% improvement (P<.001) at the 6-month follow-up. Parental worry related to the child's ear problems was also significantly decreased, with a mean otitis media disease-specific questionnaire score of 3.43 (P<.001) at 1 month and 2.64 (P<.001) at 6 months after surgery. When caregivers were asked if they would have their child undergo tympanostomy tube placement if they had to make the decision again, 91% and 84% responded yes at the 1- and 6-month follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The disease-specific quality of life of children with recurrent acute otitis media and/or chronic otitis media with effusion with appropriate surgical indications significantly improved after surgical intervention. The amount of parental worry concerning their children's ear problems also significantly improved following surgery, and most caregivers would opt again for tube placement.     

Predictors for postoperative otorrhea following tympanostomy tube insertion.

This controlled prospective study was designed to identify predictors for postoperative otorrhea among 157 children with chronic otitis media with effusion undergoing myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement (intubation). Ear canal disinfection with 70% alcohol or povidone-iodine did not significantly alter ear canal or middle ear effusion bacteriology, or the frequency of otorrhea during the first 7 days after surgery. However, the risk of otorrhea on the second postoperative day was significantly increased by the presence of a bacterial pathogen in the ear canal (relative risk, 2.4), or in the middle ear effusion (relative risk, 1.9), and the presence of inflamed middle ear mucosa at surgery (relative risk, 1.7) after controlling for age, preoperative antibiotics, and postoperative ototopical cortisporin treatment. The use of systemic antimicrobial treatment in children with inflamed middle ear mucosa at surgery or whose ear canal or middle ear effusion cultures are positive for bacterial pathogens might reduce the incidence of post-operative otorrhea in children undergoing intubation for chronic otitis media with effusion.     

Tympanostomy tubes for otitis media: quality-of-life improvement for children and parents

We measured quality of life issues for both children and their parents on the premise that parental quality of life should be an aspect of cost-effectiveness in otitis media treatment. The patients were less than 18 years of age and had had myringotomy with tube insertion at the head and neck surgery department of a large health maintenance organization. Quality of life for patients, parents, and caregivers was evaluated by telephone survey of parents or caregivers and by retrospective chart review of the number of pre- and postoperative healthcare visits and antibiotic usage. Chart review showed a significant postoperative reduction in the number of clinic visits and in use of antibiotic drugs after insertion of tympanostomy tubes. Improved postoperative hearing was noted, and tympanostomy tube insertion was shown to be safe. The chart-review cost analysis showed that tympanostomy tube insertion is a cost-effective treatment for otitis media in children, and the telephone survey results showed that it improves quality of life for children and their parents or other caregivers.     

Sex distribution in children with tympanosclerosis after insertion of a tympanostomy tube

Tympanostomy tube insertion is an accepted treatment for otitis media with effusion in children. Several clinical studies have shown that tube insertion may cause myringosclerosis. During the period 1988 to 1997 we treated 533 ears from 311 children who had otitis media with effusion by inserting tympanostomy tubes. Most of these (431 ears from 251 children) were re-examined in 1998 and sex and occurrence of myringosclerosis at the tube insertion site were noted. Myringosclerosis was observed in 31% of ears of girls treated with tubes, whereas in boys 71% of ears showed myringosclerosis. This difference between sexes may indicate a genetic predisposition such as that seen in atherosclerosis. Received: 8 May 2000 / Accepted: 29 September 2000     

Otorrhea after insertion of silver oxide-impregnated silastic tympanostomy tubes

BACKGROUND: Silver oxide-impregnated tympanostomy tubes have been shown to decrease the incidence of postoperative otorrhea, but without a significant effect in the first postoperative week. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively our results with silver oxide-impregnated tympanostomy tubes and to identify factors associated with a higher incidence of early postoperative otorrhea. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized study. SETTING: University referral center. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred thirty patients with chronic otitis media with effusion or recurrent otitis media. INTERVENTIONS: Silver oxide-impregnated Silastic tympanostomy tubes were inserted in 1254 ears. Subjects with mucoid or purulent effusions or blood at the myringotomy site at surgery were treated with topical antibiotic prophylaxis (sulfacetamide sodium-prednisolone acetate or neomycin sulfate-polymyxin B sulfate-hydrocortisone) for 5 days after tympanostomy tube placement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of otorrhea after tympanostomy tube insertion at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: The overall incidence of postoperative otorrhea was 1.9%. The incidence of otorrhea in the first postoperative week was 5.6%; the incidence of otorrhea after the first postoperative week was 1.2% (P<.001). Within the first postoperative week, a significantly greater incidence of otorrhea was noted in patients younger than 3 years (7.8%), in patients with mucoid effusions at surgery (8.6%), and in patients younger than 3 years with mucoid effusions at surgery (15.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Silver oxide-impregnated tympanostomy tubes are associated with a low overall incidence of postoperative otorrhea. A significantly higher incidence of otorrhea is seen during the first postoperative week, compared with the incidence after the first week. Patients with thick middle ear effusions and age younger than 3 years have a significantly greater incidence of early otorrhea after tympanostomy tube placement.     

Implications of laser assisted tympanostomy in adults.

OBJECTIVES: To assess outcome in adult individuals undergoing laser-assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tube placement. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with 2-month follow-up. SETTING: Faculty practice, research protocol, tertiary care academic medical center. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Laser-assisted tympanostomy was performed on a total of 142 ears (108 individuals). Indications included serous otitis media with effusion (66 ears/47 patients), functional eustachian tube dysfunction (48 ears/36 patients), acute otitis media (19 ears/16 patients), and endoscopic visualization of the middle ear (9 ears/9 patients). INTERVENTION: The laser-assisted tympanostomy procedure is performed with a CO2 laser under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patency time of the tympanostomy, presence of fluid after the closure of the tympanostomy, tympanometry and tone audiometry findings, relief of symptoms. RESULTS: Middle ear disease was resolved after the closure of tympanostomy in 47.9% of patients with serous otitis media with effusion. In 79.1% of patients with functional eustachian tube dysfunction, symptoms were diminished. All patients with acute otitis media had a satisfactory outcome. Laser-assisted tympanostomy was found to be quite helpful in patients undergoing middle ear endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Laser-assisted tympanostomy without ventilation tubes provides a safe alternative surgical option in adult patients in certain cases. The selection criteria for this procedure are addressed in detail.