Impact of perforation size and predictive factors for successful pediatric gelfoam myringoplasty

ObjectivesRates of success with pediatric myringoplasty range from 35 to 95%. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of perforation size on successful closure of the tympanic membrane (TM) after gelfoam myringoplasty. We also aim to identify variables that affect perforation closure rates and define predictive factors for successful TM closure.MethodsA retrospective chart review of all patients that underwent gelfoam myringoplasty by a single surgeon from August 2008 through January 2015 was performed.ResultsOne hundred fifty-nine patients met inclusion criteria and underwent a total of 219 procedures. Overall, gelfoam myringoplasty had an 83.1% rate of successful closure. Average perforation size was 15.31%. Classification tree analysis separated our cohort into three groups based on perforation size: Group 1 (<16.25%) had a 91% closure rate, group 2 (16.25% to <31.25%) had a 66.0% closure rate and group 3 (≥31.25%) had a 30.0% closure rate. Smaller perforations (P ≤0.001) were associated with increased success rates. Other factors associated with successful closure of the TM included younger age at the time of myringoplasty (P ≤0.001), fewer number of prior tympanostomy tubes (P = 0.016), and lesser duration of tube retention (P = 0.003).ConclusionGelfoam myringoplasty provides good overall TM closure rates and may be considered as a potential first-line option for repair of perforations, including those involving up to 40% of the TM. Younger patients with smaller perforations, fewer sets of tubes, shorter length of tube retention are more likely to have successful closure of the tympanic membrane.     

Clinical and audiological short-term and long-term outcomes of fat graft myringoplasty

Introduction: Results of fat graft myringoplasty are often reported with only short-term follow-up. Audiological results are less commonly reported, as well as long-term follow-up results.

Materials and methods: One hundred consecutive patients scheduled for fat graft myringoplasty were included in a prospective cohort study. Clinical and audiological outcomes were assessed at six weeks and one year postoperatively.

Results: Perforation sizes ranged from 0.5 to 4?mm. The six-week follow-up showed a total perforation closure rate of 72.9% with a statistically significant (p?=?.03) higher rate for the pediatric age group (83.0%). 64.4% of all patients were healed at one-year follow-up. Statistical analyses for background factors did not reveal any significant difference in healing rates with regard to patient sex or location or cause of the perforation. The mean preoperative air-conduction (AC) threshold was 25?dB with an air-bone gap of 12?dB. At the one-year follow-up the mean air conduction threshold for healed ears was improved to 16.6?dB, still 54.2% of them had a type B tympanogram.

Conclusions: Children had a higher perforation closure rate at six-week follow-up than adult patients. Recurrent tympanic membrane perforations were common after initially successful fat graft myringoplasties. Long-term hearing was improved after successful fat graft myringoplasty, resulting in a mean AC threshold of 16.6?dB.     

A multivariate analysis of otological,surgical and patient‐related factors in determining success in myringoplasty

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of smoking and other prognostic factors on long‐term surgical outcome and hearing results in myringoplasty. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Tertiary medical centre. Participants: Eighty myringoplasty operations were analysed retrospectively from the charts of 74 patients who underwent myringoplasty between January 2000 and November 2002 at the First ENT Clinic of Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, using the chi‐squared test, Fisher's exact test, t‐test and multiple logistic regression statistical analysis. Main outcome measures: The effects of prognostic factors and smoking on myringoplasty were investigated by variables noted from patients’ files such as smoking status, operation type, duration of dry period of the diseased ear, peroperative otorrhoea, status of the opposite ear, presence of perforation at admission, place of perforation, size of perforation, status of middle ear mucosa, presence of cholesteatoma and tympanosclerosis, ossicular status, previous and related surgery, experience of the surgeon, presence of anterior overhang, presence of valsalva manoeuvre, postoperative antiobiotic cover and income per day. Results: The overall take rate of the myringoplasty graft was 71%. Based on the univariate analysis, smoking status of the patients (P = 0.008), status of the opposite ear (P = 0.01), size of perforation (P = 0.009) and the experience of the surgeon (P = 0.002) were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01) prognostic factors influencing the success rate of the operations. Multiple logistic regression analysis was subsequently carried out on these prognostic factors and yielded the following classification (95% CI): senior surgeon (OR = 14.3), non‐smoking patient (OR = 11.4), longer duration of dry period of the diseased ear (OR = 5.3), normal opposite ear (OR = 5.0) and small perforation (OR = 4.8). Conclusions: A non‐smoking patient, a longer dry ear, a healthy opposite ear, a relatively smaller perforation and a senior surgeon were found to be significant prognostic factors positively influencing the success rate of myringoplasty.     

Miringoplastia: seguimiento auditivo y estudio de factores pronósticos

ObjectiveTo perform a five-year study of hearing evolution in patients undergoing myringoplasty to determine whether eardrum repair correlates with improved hearing. We also studied factors that might predispose to failure and their usefulness as prognostic factors.Material and methodIn a serial case study, we reviewed all myringoplasties performed at our centre during 2000, 2001, and 2002. We reviewed 83 case histories and studied the closure of the perforation, auditory function pre-operatively, postoperatively and after 5 years, as well as different associated factors.ResultsThe perforation was closed in 75.9 % of cases. The mean gain of auditory function was 1.5 dB at five years, without statistical significance. The hearing evolution presented a post-surgical improvement and a subsequent deterioration, both statistically significant. We found a statistically significant relationship between the size of the perforation and the condition of the contralateral ear.ConclusionsPerforation closure in our series (75.9 %) is similar to that reported in the literature. We found contralateral ear pathology and the perforation extension to be associated with poor prognosis after myringoplasty.     

Endoscopic butterfly cartilage myringoplasty

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is believed that, in appropriate patients with tympanic membrane perforation, the endoscopic butterfly cartilage myringoplasty can be applied, with a shorter operation time, high graft success rate, and low risk of complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the endoscopic butterfly cartilage myringoplasty in terms of the graft success rate and hearing gain. Methods: Forty-five ears of the 42 patients who were subjected to endoscopic butterfly cartilage myringoplasty surgery between January 2013 and December 2014 were included in this study. The archival records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively, evaluating the pre-operative and post-operative hearing results and post-operative graft success rates in the early and late periods. Results: The graft success rates were 97.8% (44/45 ears) and 95.6% (43/45 ears) at the post-operative 1- and 6-month follow-ups, respectively. When the post-operative air conduction hearing thresholds were compared, significant improvement was seen at post-operative 1- and 6-month follow-ups in the hearing thresholds, when compared to the pre-operative levels (p?相似文献   

Miringoplastias en niños: nuestros resultados

Introduction and objectivesMyringoplasty, one of the most frequent surgical techniques in otology, is the repair of tympanic membrane when the ear has only a perforation without any ossicular damage. The main objective of our work was to study the outcome of myringoplasty in patients less than 15 years of age. We also reviewed the existence of prognostic factors, such as Eustachian tube functionality, surgical technique and the hearing outcome after surgery.MethodWe present a retrospective study (1994-2010) with a total of 81 children (under 15 years of age) who had undergone myringoplasty during that period of time. For these children, we analysed age, sex, technique, approach, type of graft, type of perforation, anaesthesia, hearing gain and perforation closure. We correlated these variables with the success of the surgery.ResultsThe percentage of closure was 84% (n = 68). The techniques used were underlay in 79.01% (n = 64), overlay in 11.11% (n = 9) and sandwich in 9.87% (n = 8). The percentage of patients with hearing improvement was 88.40% (n = 61).ConclusionMyringoplasty is a surgical technique that offers good anatomical and functional results in children. We did not find prognostic factors in our study. We found postoperative improvement of hearing but it was not statistically significant.     

Myringoplasty in children

BackgroundTympanic membrane perforation (TMP) may be caused by acute and chronic otitis media, trauma and iatrogenic reasons. The goal of myringoplasty is to achieve a dry, self-cleansing ear with intact TM while preserving hearing. Literature review of myringoplasty outcome demonstrates results with different success rates and affecting factors.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate TMP closure (TMPC) rate and hearing improvement and to assess the effect of clinical and surgical parameters on residual and recurrent perforation.Materials and methodsRetrospective chart analysis of pediatric patients who underwent myringoplasty between the years 2000–2015. Closure success rate and hearing improvement were evaluated. The influence of age and clinical and surgical variables over TMPC rate and recurrent perforation were examined.ResultsOur study cohort consisted of 165 myringoplasties in 151 children, with a mean age of 11.7 years (R = 4.8–17.9, Me = 12.0).At one month follow-up (FU) TMPC rate was 88% (145/165). Among patients with successful TMPC a mean improvement of air bone gap (ABG) and speech reception threshold (SRT) were 9.9 dB, p < 0.001 and 9.4 dB, p < 0.001, respectively.58/145 (40%) patients with initial closure had a minimum FU of 6 months (Me = 12.0), during which time 8/58(13.8%) had a recurrent perforation. Surgery before 9 years of age was the only factor correlated with failed initial closure (p = 0.03) and recurrent perforation (p = 0.02).ConclusionsPediatric myringoplasty is associated with high TMPC rate. Hearing improvement is to be expected in most hearing impaired patients. Age under 9 years is associated with significantly higher rates of persistent and recurrent perforation.     

Myringoplasty in children: anatomical and functional results.

To assess the results of myringoplasty in children and determine the factors influencing post-operative results a retrospective study of the anatomical and functional results of 41 myringoplasties in children was performed, considering only the cases of uncomplicated perforation that did not require ossiculoplasty or mastoidectomy. The overall success rate was 80.5 per cent after a mean follow-up of 39 months. The mean post-operative air conduction threshold significantly improved in the successful cases with a mean audiological improvement of 11 dB (p<0.05). No post-operative sensorineural hearing loss was observed. There was a significant statistical association between the presence of a dry ear at the time of surgery and good surgical results (p<0.01). Surgical outcome was not affected by the patient's age, the site and size of the perforation, previous adenoidectomy, surgical technique (overlay vs underlay), or the status of the contralateral ear. Our findings suggest that myringoplasty is a valid procedure in the paediatric population that gives good anatomical and functional results. The status of the middle ear (i.e. the presence of a dry ear), significantly improves surgical outcome; and so careful inflammatory changes in the middle-ear mucosa should be evaluated and medical treatment considered before surgery.     

Pediatric myringoplasty: a study of factors affecting outcome

Objectives

To analyze the success rates of myringoplasty in children, to assess prognostic factors and to evaluate their interactions in the evolution of myringoplasty.

Methods

Charts of patients who had undergone a myringoplasty between 1997 and 2007 were reviewed for: patient age, sex, perforation side, etiology, size, type and location of perforation, season of surgery, type of myringoplasty, surgical technique, graft material, preoperative status of the operated and contralateral ear, history of otologic surgery to the operated and/or contralateral ear, number of prior surgeries to the operated and contralateral ear, time elapsed between the last otologic procedure and this myringoplasty, history of adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy, time elapsed between the adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy and this myringoplasty. Anatomical success was defined as postoperative intact tympanic membrane(TM). Audiological success was defined as air bone gap less than 20 dB and a postoperative difference of no more than 10 dB in the mean bone conduction (BC) threshold.

Results

A total of 201 cases of myringoplasty were operated between 1997 and 2007. Anatomical success rates were 94.9%, 84.9% and 70.1% at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. The type of previous otologic surgery in the operated ear was found statistically significant for anatomical success. Audiological success rates were attained in 97.4%, 93.4% and 84.9% of patients at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. A mean reduction of 9.1 dB of the air bone gap was achieved postoperatively. No sensorineural hearing loss occurred. Children 12 years and older presented with statistically poorer preoperative BC at frequencies ≥2000 Hz when compared to their younger counterparts. These results suggest that the chronicisation of the TM perforation can result in long-term irreversible damage to the inner ear.

Conclusion

The type of previous otologic surgery in the operated ear was found to have an impact on anatomical success. The outcome for myringoplasty was more favourable when the etiology of the previous surgery was a benign one. We advocate early myringoplasty, preferably above the age of 6. Delaying surgery can cause permanent damage to the inner ear. All other factors evaluated were not found to be statistically significant for anatomical or audiological success.     

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.     

Tympanic reperforation in myringoplasty: evaluation of prognostic factors

OBJECTIVES: The most frequent failure in myringoplasty is reperforation. This complication appears at a rate of 7% to 27%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of the principal prognostic factors to the risk of reperforation. METHODS: This is a study of prognosis based on an inception cohort. The prognostic factors considered in the study refer to clinical and surgical aspects; follow-up ranged from 5 to 7 years (mean, 68 months). The study was performed on 212 patients with or without otorrhea who underwent operation for tympanic perforation. All subjects underwent myringoplasty by means of an underlay or overlay technique depending on the size and site of the perforation. RESULTS: Healing of the tympanic perforation was obtained in 182 cases (86%). Age, otorrhea, status of the contralateral ear, and conductive hearing loss did not significantly affect the outcome of surgery. On the other hand, time from surgery, the site of perforation, the type of anesthesia, the approach, the surgical technique, and the type of graft were significantly related to the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In the analysis of our results, the surgical approach proved to be the principal prognostic factor in the anatomic outcome of myringoplasty. The results obtained suggest that the principal factors influencing the outcome of myringoplasty are technical and not clinical.     

鼓膜成形术听力疗效及相关因素分析

目的:探讨鼓膜成形术术后听力疗效,并对其相关影响因素进行分析.方法:1999年1月～2003年12月住院行颞肌筋膜夹层法鼓膜成形术,且术前纯音测听结果为传导性聋的患者共165例(175耳),随访2年以上,对可能影响疗效的10项因素进行多元线性回归分析.结果:纯音测听示术后气骨导差的平均值较术前降低7.1 dBHL.使用多元线性回归对可能影响术后听力的因素进行筛选,按其作用大小依次为:术前气导听阈平均值、干耳时间、病程、年龄.主观听力的改变与客观听力的改变具有相关性.结论:术前听力越好,年龄越小,在一定范围内(2年)干耳时间越久,病程越短,则术后气骨导差越小,听力提高的可能性越大.纯音测听听力改善者,大多数主观听力亦改善.     

Preservation of residual hearing with cochlear implantation: How and why

Conclusions Hearing may be conserved in adults after implantation with the Nucleus Contour Advance perimodiolar electrode array. The degree of hearing preservation and the maximum insertion depth of the electrode array can vary considerably despite a defined surgical protocol. Residual hearing combined with electrical stimulation in the same ear can provide additional benefits even for conventional candidates for cochlear implantation.

Objectives We present preliminary results from a prospective multicentre study investigating the conservation of residual hearing after implantation with a standard-length Nucleus Contour Advance perimodiolar electrode array and the benefits of combined electrical and acoustic stimulation.

Material and methods The subjects were 12 adult candidates for cochlear implantation recruited according to national selection criteria. A “soft” surgery protocol was defined, as follows: 1–1.2-mm cochleostomy hole anterior and inferior to the round window; Nucleus Contour Advance electrode array inserted using the “Advance-off-stylet” technique; and insertion depth controlled by means of three square marker ribs left outside the cochleostomy hole. These procedures had been shown to reduce insertion forces in temporal bone preparations. Variations in surgical techniques were monitored using a questionnaire. Pure-tone thresholds were measured pre- and postoperatively. Patients who still retained thresholds <90 dB HL for frequencies up to 500 Hz were re-fitted with an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid. Word recognition was tested in quiet and sentence perception in noise for the cochlear implant alone and in combination with an ipsilateral hearing aid.

Results Hearing threshold level data were available for 12 patients recruited from 6 of the centres. Median increases in hearing threshold levels were 23, 27 and 33 dB for the frequencies 125, 250 and 500 Hz, respectively. These median increases include the data for two patients who had total loss of residual hearing due to difficulties encountered during surgery. “Cochlear view” X-ray images indicated that the depth of insertion varied between 300 and 430°, despite modest variations in the length of the electrode inserted (17–19 mm). The insertion angle had some influence on the preservation of residual hearing at frequencies of 250–500 Hz. Six of the 12 patients retained sufficient hearing for effective use of an ipsilateral ITE hearing aid (≤80 dB HL at 125 and 250 Hz; ≤90 dB HL at 500 Hz). Word recognition scores in quiet were improved from 10% to 30% with the cochlear implant plus ipsilateral hearing aid in 3 patients who had at least 3 months postoperative experience. Signal:noise ratio thresholds for sentence recognition were improved by up to 3 dB. Patients reported that they experienced greatly improved sound quality and preferred to use the two devices together.     

Miringoplastias primarias. Resultados a los 2 años de seguimiento

Introduction and goals: The goals of myringoplasty are closure of the perforation in the tympanic membrane and improvement in hearing levels, with varying results in the published literature. Our aim was to determine the results of this procedure at our centre and compare them with the literature.Methods: Retrospective analysis of 217 primary myringoplasties carried out in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital between 1998 and 2003, describing the characteristics of the perforations, surgical technique and post-operative results (perforation closure and hearing improvement).Results: The majority were adults with perforations secondary to recurrent middle ear infections (91 %). Most were less than sub-total (64 %) and did not involve the tympanic annulus (79 %). Grafts were inserted using lateral (45 %), mixed (29 %) and medial (26 %) techniques, using retroauricular (66 %) and endaural (34 %) approaches. Temporal muscle fascia was the graft most frequently used (87 %). Perforation closure was achieved in between 78 % and 91 % of cases throughout the 24-month follow-up period, with an overall closure value of 78 % after 2 years of follow-up. Hearing improvement, established as an air bone gap difference of less than 20 dB, was seen in proximately 56 % of cases.Conclusions: At our centre, myringoplasty achieves anatomical (78 %) and functional (56 %) success comparable to the results described in the literature. We consider medium-term follow-up to be of the utmost importance because of reperforation phenomena, which may occur as much as 2 years or more after surgery.     

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.     

Short-term tympanostomy in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Objective: To determine the most effective method of short-term middle ear aeration in patients unable to tolerate hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Study Design: Prospective study comparing two methods of short-term tympanostomy in each patient. Methods: Seventeen adult patients were referred for management of barotitis and inability to tolerate hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). Each patient underwent CO₂ laser tympanostomy on the right ear and tympanostomy with T-tube placement in the left ear. The tube was removed on completion of HBO. Patients were asked to rate pain and their satisfaction with each method of tympanostomy using a visual analog scale. Otorrhea, persistent perforation, recurrent barotitis, hearing loss, and otalgia occurring during the study period were documented. Results: Laser tympanostomy was associated with a significantly lower incidence of otorrhea but was attended by recurrent barotitis in four of 16 patients. Laser tympanostomy was perceived as being less painful and was rated higher in overall satisfaction. Conclusions: Laser tympanostomy is an effective method for management of barotitis in patients unable to tolerate HBO. Otorrhea is significantly reduced, although a risk of recurrent barotitis exists if the laser perforation closes prior to completion of HBO. Both methods of short-term tympanostomy reduce complications when compared with a retrospective cohort.     

夹层法鼓膜成形术远期疗效的相关因素探讨

目的 探讨夹层法鼓膜成形术远期疗效的相关影响因素.方法回顾性研究1999年1月至2003年12月北京同仁医院住院行颞肌筋膜夹层法修补鼓膜穿孔的205例(223耳)患者的临床资料,年龄12～65岁,平均34.3岁;病程1个月～25年,平均16.1个月.观察指标包括年龄、性别、病因、病程、干耳时间、手术径路、穿孔部位、穿孔大小、鼓室状况、鼓膜是否有硬化斑.术后随访2年以上用SPSS 12.0软件包进行数据管理、统计方法为Logistic回归.结果 随访2～5年鼓膜愈合212耳,远期鼓膜愈合率为95.1%.其中,鼓膜色泽与形态正常、无其他并发症者186耳,远期手术成功率为83.4%.经多因素Logistic回归分析,依据OR值显示可能影响手术成功的相关因素依次为:穿孔大小(OR=1.900)、病程(OR=1.003)、干耳时间(OR=0.908).对术前纯音测听检查为传导性聋175耳分析显示:术后气骨导差(听力级)的平均值较术前降低7.0dB.结论 鼓膜穿孔越小、病程越短、在一定时间范围内干耳越久,远期发生并发症的可能性越小,对手术成功越有利.鼓膜内陷钙化常为晚期并发症,也是造成修补失败的重要原因之一.     

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.     

Outcomes in children with perforated tympanic membranes after tympanostomy tube placement: results using a pilot treatment algorithm

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the success of a pilot treatment algorithm for tympanic membrane perforations in children after tympanostomy tube placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of children with diagnosed tympanic membrane perforations after tympanostomy tube placement from 1998 to 2003 at a tertiary care children's hospital was performed. The patients had been treated according to an algorithm used by 2 pediatric otolaryngologists for management of tympanic membrane perforations: observation vs myringoplasty. Success rates were examined. RESULTS: Ninety-five children were identified, 27% of whom had nonhealing perforations after tube extrusion; 73% of the perforations were caused by a retained tube. The median duration of tube retention was 48 months, ranging from 13 to 120 months. After the treatment protocol, 76% of the patients underwent gelatin film or paper patch myringoplasty, 23% had adipose myringoplasty, and 1% were observed. Overall, 91% had healed perforations after the first intervention. Among those requiring a second intervention, the sizes of initial perforations were between 15% and 40%, with postrepair perforation sizes between 5% and 40%. In addition, 75% of those requiring a second intervention underwent tympanoplasty repair and 25% had fat patch myringoplasty. None required a third intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Our treatment algorithm for children with tympanic membrane perforations after tympanostomy tube placement appears to be successful and is an excellent model for other clinicians.     

What Your Colleagues Think of Tympanostomy Tubes—28 Years Later

Objective: Assess the changing opinions of otolaryngologists about tympanostomy tubes, including indications, tube material and shape and size, placement sites, and complications. Study Design: Crosssectional survey, compared to the same survey done 28 years earlier. Method: Questionnaires mailed to the 441 active fellows and 86 candidates of the Triological Society. Response rate 69.3%. Results: The preference for polyethylene has decreased from 75% to 13% of respondents. Preferred insertion sites are more anterior. The proportion of respondents who have seen a permanent perforation as a consequence has increased from 26% to 93%. The proportion of respondents who have seen a tube-attributable cholesteatoma has increased from 8% to 38%. The average tube duration has increased from 4 months to 18 months. Teflon and Silastic are now the materials most often used. As 28 years earlier, about 19% of patients get a subsequent tympanostomy tube. Anesthetics most commonly used now are general or topical phenol. Conclusion: The consensus on several aspects of tympanostomy tubes has changed during 28 years. Controversy continues about the indications for using tubes. Although not a not cure-all for otitis media, tympanostomy tubes have proved useful.