1～6岁分泌性中耳炎患儿气、骨导ABR的特征分析

目的探讨气、骨导ABR测试在儿童分泌性中耳炎诊疗中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析151例(246耳)分泌性中耳炎(OME组)和60例(120耳)正常儿童(正常对照组)气、骨导ABR检测结果。结果①OME组气导ABR波V反应阈正常59耳(23.98%),轻度异常96耳(39.02%),中度异常91耳(36.99%);ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期正常22耳(8.94%),各波潜伏期延长224耳(91.06%),Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期无明显改变156耳(63.41%),Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期缩短90耳(36.59%);波Ⅴ反应阈正常和轻度异常组Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期无明显改变,中度异常组Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期缩短,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。②OME组骨导ABR波V反应阈及35dB nHL刺激强度下各波潜伏期与对照组比较,反应阈正常195耳(79.27%),异常51耳(20.73%),反应阈异常者波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期也较正常组及反应阈正常者明显延长(P<0.05)。结论大多数分泌性中耳炎儿童的气导ABR反应阈轻、中度异常但骨导ABR反应阈正常,少数患儿气导ABR反应阈中度异常且骨导ABR反应阈轻度异常。     

听性脑干反应（ABR）测试在儿童分泌性中耳炎诊治中的作用

目的探讨听性脑干反应（auditory brainstem response,ABR）测试在1岁6个月～6岁的儿童分泌性中耳炎诊治中的应用价值。方法①在首诊时采用ABR测试97例179耳1岁6个月～6岁的分泌性中耳炎患儿,根据反应阈提高的程度分为3组：轻度组为20～30dB nHL,中度组为40～60dB nHL;重度组为70～90dB nHL。以同一年龄段的正常小儿为对照组,分析4组ABR波潜伏期和波间期的特点。②选择轻,中度组病例各10例（20耳）、重度组5例（10耳）,行鼓膜穿刺或鼓膜切开术,分析中耳积液量和性状与ABR波潜伏期的关系。③随诊治疗中,每周检测ABR一次,以监测疗效,并以对照组ABR潜伏期和反应阈为指标判断预后。结果①轻、中、重度3组随着ABR反应阈的提高,Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期延长增多,而波间期无明显变化。②轻、中度组随着中耳积液的增多变稠,ABR的Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期延长增多。重度组中耳积液与中度组无明显差异,而Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期延长却明显增加。③轻、中、重度3组预后不同。结论在分泌性中耳炎的诊治中,声导抗测试虽能为中耳病变提供重要依据,但辅以ABR测试,不仅能提供更多的中耳信息,还能反映内耳功能和高频听觉状态,作为该病诊断以及判断疗效和预后的依据。     

分泌性中耳炎患儿听性脑干反应的应用及特征

目的 通过比较分泌性中耳炎(otitis media with effusion, OME)患儿鼓膜置管术前、后听性脑干反应(auditory brainstem response, ABR)的变化,探讨ABR测试在儿童分泌性中耳炎诊治中的临床应用价值.方法 对50例(100耳)分泌性中耳炎患儿行鼓膜置管术前进行ABR测试,其中有30例(60耳) 术后再次行ABR测试,并与50例(100耳)正常对照组儿童进行比较;另外将该30例(60耳)患儿根据鼓室分泌物黏稠度分两组,分泌物黏稠组16例(32耳),分泌物稀薄组14例(28耳),将两组ABR波Ⅴ阈值结果进行比较.结果 50例(100耳)分泌性中耳炎患儿术前ABR波Ⅴ阈值及波Ⅰ潜伏期均正常者占13%,漏诊率为13%;波Ⅴ阈值正常占41%,轻度异常52%,中度异常7%;波Ⅰ潜伏期正常19%,72%波Ⅰ潜伏期延长,9%出现波Ⅰ缺失.术前OME组患儿的ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ各波潜伏期比正常儿童延长,阈值升高,差异有显著统计学意义(P＜0.01).Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期缩短,与正常组比较差异有显著统计学意义(P＜0.01).术后ABR波Ⅴ阈值及波Ⅰ潜伏期均正常者占46.7%;波Ⅴ阈值正常占70.5%,轻度异常29.5%;波Ⅰ引出率100%,潜伏期正常占50.2%;OME组中术前、术后ABR各波潜伏期、波Ⅴ阈值比较差异有显著统计学意义(P＜0.01),各波波间期比较无差异,术后听力有明显改善,但与正常组比较部分患儿波Ⅴ阈值仍高,波Ⅰ、Ⅲ潜伏期仍延长,Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期缩短(P＜0.05);分泌物黏稠组波Ⅴ阈值较稀薄组高.结论 单用ABR作为诊断OME的依据是有欠缺的,但大部分患儿可以通过该检查进行听力损失的评估,以了解鼓膜置管术后的听力状况及恢复程度.     

儿童分泌性中耳炎的听力学分析

目的 分析儿童分泌性中耳炎的听力学特征,探讨不同听力学测试方法在儿童分泌性中耳炎诊断中的作用和准确性,为儿童分泌性中耳炎的诊断提供理论依据.方法 回顾性分析2010年1月～2011年6月诊断为分泌性中耳炎住院治疗的46例(81耳)患儿的资料.所有患儿均行中耳鼓膜切开,将声导抗、畸变产物耳声发射(DPOAE)、听性脑干反应(ABR)、纯音测听(pure tone audiometry,PTA)结果与术中所见进行比较分析,了解不同听力学测试方法在评估儿童分泌性中耳炎中的作用和准确性.结果 ①46例(81耳)患儿的DPOAE检查结果均提示双耳未通过,声导抗检查均为B型导抗图.鼓膜切开证实70耳有分泌物(86.42%),11耳无明显分泌物(13.58%).②34例(59耳)行ABR测试的患儿,鼓膜切开证实49耳(83.05%)有积液,其中6耳ABR反应阈正常,43耳ABR反应阈升高;46耳ABRⅠ波潜伏期延长,3耳Ⅰ波潜伏期正常.鼓膜切开证实无积液的10耳(16.95%),5耳ABR反应阈正常,5耳ABR反应阈升高;4耳ABRⅠ波潜伏期延长,6耳Ⅰ波潜伏期正常.③12例(22耳)行PTA测试的患儿,所有耳的听阈值均异常,气骨导差均大于10 dB,鼓膜切开证实22耳均有积液.④统计学分析结果显示,ABR气导反应阈值(Kappa=0.364,P<0.01)、Ⅰ波潜伏期(Kappa=0.561,P<0.01)与中耳积液有相关性.结论 声导抗测试对评估儿童分泌性中耳炎有较高的敏感性,PTA气导听阈及气骨导差、ABR气导反应阈值、ABRⅠ波潜伏期及DPOAE亦可较好地反映儿童中耳功能.     

骨气导ABR联合应用对婴儿分泌性中耳炎的诊断价值

目的探讨骨、气导ABR检测在婴儿分泌性中耳炎诊断中的应用价值。方法分别对51例(89耳)分泌性中耳炎婴儿(患儿组)和50例(100耳)听力正常婴儿(对照组)行骨、气导ABR检测,并对两组结果进行比较。结果①分泌性中耳炎婴儿气导ABR波I、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期延长,骨、气导ABR反应阈升高,与对照组比较差异有显著统计学意义(P<0.01);②分泌性中耳炎组骨导ABR反应阈随着气导ABR反应阈的提高略有提高,骨、气导反应阈值差也随着气导反应阈提高逐渐增大。结论婴儿气导ABR反应阈升高、波I潜伏期延长且骨气导反应阈差增大时,高度提示中耳功能异常。     

双侧耳蜗切除术致听力剥夺大鼠的听性脑干反应改变

目的：通过比较大鼠在双侧耳蜗切除术后不同时间点听性脑干反应（ABR）的变化,探讨ABR在测试听力剥夺大鼠模型中的应用价值。方法：选取2周龄SD大鼠40只,随机分为实验组4组（2周组、4周组、6周组、8周组）和对照组4组,每组5只（10耳）。实验组动物在双侧耳蜗损毁术后不同时间点与其对照组行ABR检测,记录ABR阈值及各波潜伏期和波间期。结果：实验组ABR反应阈明显升高,与对照组相比,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,各波潜伏期和波间期明显延长（P〈0．01）;实验2周组、4周组与6周组和8周组相比,ABR反应阈的差异也有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论：双侧耳蜗切除术可导致大鼠ABR反应阈明显增高,各波潜伏期和波间期明显延长;听力剥夺效果从术后4周开始越发明显。     

分泌性中耳炎儿童Chirp声与短声诱发听性脑干反应的对比研究

目的探讨分泌性中耳炎(otitis media with effusion,OME)儿童Chirp声诱发的听性脑干反应(auditory brainstem response,ABR)的特征。方法以16例(24耳)8个月~4.6岁OME患儿为研究对象,分别进行Chirp-ABR及click声诱发的ABR(click-ABR)检测,对结果进行自身配对t检验,比较Chirp-ABR和click-ABR各波潜伏期、波间期及反应阈。结果在80 dB nHL刺激声强度时,Chirp-ABR波I、III潜伏期均较click-ABR延长,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),波V潜伏期较click-ABR延长,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Chirp-ABR I-III、III-V、I-V波间期均较click-ABR缩短,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);波V振幅增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Chirp-ABR和click-ABR波V反应阈均值相等,且均升高,差异无明显统计学意义(P>0.05),但在反应阈刺激声强度时Chirp-ABR波V潜伏期较click-ABR延长(P<0.05)。结论本组分泌性中耳炎儿童80 dB nHL刺激声强度时,与click-ABR比较,Chirp-ABR波I、III潜伏期延长,波V振幅升高,反应阈强度时波V潜伏期延长。     

正常新生儿和婴儿的短音听性脑干反应和听觉稳态反应

目的 建立听力正常婴儿短音听性脑干反应(tone-pip ABR)和听觉稳态反应(auditorysteady state response,ASSR)反应阈的正常参考值,研究其听觉发育的生物学规律,并比较两种听力检测技术的频率特性.方法 选取0～6月龄听力正常婴儿80例(160耳),按月龄分为四组:新生儿组、42 d组、3月龄组和6月龄组,每组20例(40耳),男女例数均等,分别记录其短声ABR的潜伏期及在0.25、0.5、1、2、4、8 kHz频率范围内tone-pip ABR和ASSR的反应阈.结果 在70 dB正常听力级短声刺激下,短声ABRⅠ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期、Ⅰ～Ⅲ、Ⅲ～Ⅴ、Ⅰ～Ⅴ波间期随月龄增加逐渐缩短,波Ⅰ于42 d前、波Ⅲ于3个月前发育变化显著.tone-pip ABR波形与短声ABR相似,Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波潜伏期随频率增加逐渐缩短,波形分化逐渐清晰.不同频率、不同月龄tone-pip ABR和ASSR反应阈差异具有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05).除0.25 kHz外,其余频率tone-pip ABR反应阈均低于ASSR.不同月龄tone-pip ABR和ASSR听力曲线形状相似.结论 0～6月正常婴儿tone-pip ABR的潜伏期和波间期随月龄增加逐渐缩短,而反应阈无明显变化.tone-pip ABR和ASSR均有稳定的频率特异性,tone-pip ABR反应阈低于ASSR,可能更接近主观纯音听阈.     

铅中毒对学龄儿童听性脑干反应的影响

目的 观察铅中毒对学龄儿童听觉神经系统的损害。方法 对100例无神经系统阳性体征的铅中毒儿童进行听性脑干反应、纯音测听及畸变产物耳声发射检测，并将其分为补钙组和未补钙组，观察治疗前后的听性脑干反应、纯音测听及畸变产物耳声发射的变化，同时与50例年龄性别相匹配的血铅正常儿童进行对比分析。结果 治疗前铅中毒组和正常组听性脑干反应比较：铅中毒组Ⅴ波潜伏期较正常组延长，差异有统计学意义（t=3．21，P〈0．01），Ⅰ、Ⅲ波潜伏期较正常组延长，但差异无统计学意义（前者t=2．06，P〉0．05，后者t=1．64，P〉0．05）。铅中毒组Ⅲ～Ⅴ、Ⅰ～Ⅴ波间期较对照组延长，差异有统计学意义（前者t=7．30，P〈0．01，后者t=3．14，P〈0．01），Ⅰ～Ⅲ波间期较对照组延长，但差异无统计学意义（t=0．91，P〉0．05）。铅中毒组Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波波幅均低于正常组，差异有统计学意义（Ⅰ波-t=3．20，P〈0．01，Ⅲ波：t=3．31，P〈0．01，Ⅴ波：t=3．41，P〈0．01）。补钙组、未补钙组及血铅正常组治疗半年前后比较：3组听性脑干反应各指标在治疗前后均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。纯音测听及畸变产物耳声发射检测前后差异均无统计学意义（P值均〉0．05）。结论 铅中毒可以引起神经系统的亚临床损害，补钙对治疗后ABR无显著改变，ABR对于早期发现铅中毒对神经系统损害有一定的价值。     

中耳功能异常婴儿听性脑干反应特点及应用

目的探讨中耳功能异常婴儿的听性脑干反应(ABR)特点及临床应用价值。方法分析比较85例(170耳)中耳功能异常、ABR反应阈≤60dB nHL的婴儿(A组)和83例(166耳)中耳功能正常、ABR反应阈40～60dB HL的婴儿(B组)以及41例(82耳)正常婴儿(C组)的ABR波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期、波间期和波Ⅴ反应阈值。结果 A组中24耳(14.11%)为ABR反应阈≤30dB nHL、73耳(42.94%)为40dB nHL、54耳(31.76%)为50dBnHL、19耳(11.18%)为60dB nHL;B组中83耳(50%)ABR反应阈为40dB nHL、52耳(31.33%)为50dB nHL、31耳(18.67%)为60dB nHL;C组婴儿ABR反应阈均≤30dB nHL。刺激声为80dB nHL时三组间波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期的关系分别为:A组波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期明显长于B组和C组(P<0.01),而Ⅰ-Ⅲ、Ⅰ-Ⅴ波间期则较B组和C组短(P<0.01),Ⅲ-Ⅴ波间期则与B组和C组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);B组各波潜伏期、波间期与C组比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。三组中反应阈相同者波潜伏期比较:A组波Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ潜伏期仍明显长于B组和C组(P<0.05)。结论婴儿中耳功能异常时大部分ABR反应阈升高,以轻中度异常为主,均有波Ⅰ潜伏期延长;波Ⅰ潜伏期明显延长对判断婴儿中耳功能异常有意义。     

27例鼻咽癌患者合并分泌性中耳炎的临床分析

目的探讨鼻咽癌患者放疗前后分泌性中耳炎的临床特点及治疗措施。方法回顾性分析2003年一2006年我院经治的27例鼻咽癌患者,将其放疗前、放疗后的情况进行回顾分析。21例（32耳）中耳炎患者被分为鼓膜穿刺组与鼓膜置管组。结果27例患者放疗前有14例（17耳）并发分泌性中耳炎,放疗后分泌性中耳炎的患者增至21例（32耳）,双耳发病11例,6例未发生分泌性中耳炎。鼓膜穿刺组12例（19耳）,显效率为78.9％（15／19）,1例患者发展为慢性化脓性中耳炎;置管组9例（13耳）,有5例（7耳）疗效显著,显效率为54％（7／13）,有2例患者鼓膜穿孔。MRI检查显示,21例分泌性中耳炎患者中,19例有明显咽鼓管挤压和腭帆张肌肿胀。结论MRI检查有助于鼻咽癌患者放疗前后并发分泌性中耳炎的评估;鼓膜穿刺抽吸是治疗鼻咽癌并发分泌性中耳炎的有效和实用的措施。     

Auditory brain-stem responses in children with previous otitis media

The auditory brain-stem responses (ABRs) of 18 children who received tympanostomy tubes due to well-documented history of otitis media with effusion (OME) were compared with a matched control group with little or no history of effusion. The subjects in the OME group had significantly longer ABR latencies for waves III and V, with the most compelling delay for wave III and the III-I interwave interval. Although wave I prolongation in the OME group was not significant, the possible contribution of a peripheral effect on the latencies of waves III and V was investigated. The typical gender effect for the ABR latencies was unaltered in the OME group, and there was no group by gender interaction. We suggest that although the data support increased ABR latencies for children with a history of OME, they do not establish a causal relationship.     

Otitis media with effusion in children shows a progressive resolution with time

The course of chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) was studied in 117 children (207 ears). Diagnosis was based on otoscopy and a flat (type B) tympanogram. This was compared with the presence or absence of middle ear effusion at myringotomy carried out 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and more than 9 months after diagnosis. There was a highly significant reduction in the number of effusions diagnosed at myringotomy in those patients who had waited longer for operation. The effects of previous ventilation tube insertion, adenoidectomy, medical treatment between diagnosis and operation, month of diagnosis and month of admission on the results were examined. Tympanosclerosis and atelectasis occurred in 7.3 and 6.3% of ears respectively and in most cases were associated with previous grommet insertion.     

96例儿童分泌性中耳炎的手术治疗

目的探讨经保守治疗无效的儿童分泌性中耳炎患者外科手术干预的方式和效果。方法对96例(118耳)儿童分泌性中耳炎患者在内镜下行腺样体切除加鼓室置管术,部分合并扁桃体肥大的患儿行扁桃体切除术,术后随访半年以上并评价其治疗效果。结果 96例患儿中行鼓室置管术35例,腺样体切除加鼓室置管术49例,腺样体切除加扁桃体切除加鼓室置管术12例;术前平均听阈为(42±5)dB,术后1周为(34±4)dB,与术前比较具有统计学差异(t=12.12,P<0.05);术后1个月为(22±2)dB,与术前比较具有统计学差异(t=15.27,P<0.01);术后听力明显改善,鼻塞、夜间张口呼吸和打鼾症状明显缓解。结论对患有分泌性中耳炎的儿童进行个体化的手术治疗,腺样体切除加鼓室置管术是经保守治疗无效的儿童分泌性中耳炎的基本术式。     

Glue under pressure: a bad prognostic sign for recurrence of otitis media with effusion.

One hundred and thirteen children with bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) underwent myringotomy and insertion of Shah grommets. They were classified into three groups according to the presence or absence of 'glue under pressure' unilaterally or bilaterally. The follow up period ranging between 18 and 32 months determined the comparative rate of recurrence of OME and the number of grommet reinsertions. This study shows a significantly higher incidence of recurrent OME, requiring grommet reinsertion, in ears with glue under pressure (60 per cent) compared to those with glue not under pressure (7.4 per cent). Thus it was possible to identify a subset of children with OME who have a poorer prognosis for recurrence and who should be treated with long-stay grommets in the first instance.     

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。     

The effect of topical adrenaline on the development of myringosclerosis after tympanostomy tube insertion

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of topical adrenaline application after myringotomy and before tympanostomy tube placement on the development of myringosclerosis. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study, with each patient acting as his or her own control. Ethical approval and full parental consent were obtained. SETTING: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in a university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty children satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria for first-time tympanostomy tube insertion. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION: Myringotomy followed by adrenaline application to incision before tympanostomy tube insertion. Control contralateral ear received saline application after myringotomy. Follow-up examination was done 14 to 21 days after surgery and again after 1 year by a single blinded surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Comparison of myringosclerosis between adrenaline-treated ears and matched control ears. RESULTS: No difference was found in early morbidity between the two groups of ears. Myringosclerosis after 1 year was not found to have been significantly affected by adrenaline application (p = 0.2) CONCLUSION: The use of adrenaline on the myringotomy site before tympanostomy tube placement was not found to influence early postoperative morbidity or the later development of myringosclerosis.     

Telescopic myringotomy and tube application

Otoendoscopy is a new technique in otological surgery. The traditional surgery for otitis media with effusion (OME) is myringotomy and tube insertion using an operating microscope. In 45 children and five adults presenting to our department with otitis media with effusion, rigid endoscopic myringotomy and grommet tube insertion were performed using 2.7 mm diameter and 0 degree and 30 degrees angle telescopes under general anaesthesia for children and local anaesthesia for adults. The use of rigid endoscopes provides a large field of view, that is of excellent resolution and fidelity of colour as well as giving good side views. It can be performed in the out-patient clinic with little inconvenience to the patient and minimal risks.     

The treatment for postirradiation otitis media with effusion: a study of three methods

Objective: To explore treatments for postirradiation otitis media with effusion (OME) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Study Design: This study is a prospective quasi‐randomized clinical trial. Methods: Ninety‐six patients (135 ears) with OME after the first course of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were divided into three groups: simple auripuncture plus aspiration, tympanic membrane fenestration with cauterization, and myringotomy plus grommet insertion. Cure rates and incidences of complications were compared. Results: Two deaths occurred. The other 94 patients (132 ears) finished a 2‐year follow‐up. In group 1, four ears (8.9%) were cured after the first treatment and 17 ears overall (37.8%) were cured by the end of the follow‐up. Twenty ears (44.4%) had persistent fluid, two ears (4.4%) developed chronic suppurative otitis media, and five ears (11.1%) developed dry eardrum perforation. In group 2, seven ears (15.6%) were cured after the first treatment and 21 ears overall (46.7%) were cured by the end of the follow‐up. Fourteen ears (31.1%) had persistent fluid, three ears (6.7%) developed chronic suppurative otitis media, and seven ears (15.6%) developed dry eardrum perforation. In group 3, eight ears (17.8%) were cured after the first treatment and 23 ears overall (51.1%) were cured by the end of the follow‐up. Seven ears (15.6%) had persistent fluid, five ears (11.1%) developed chronic suppurative otitis media, three ears (6.7%) developed eardrum perforation with effusion, and five ears (11.1%) developed dry eardrum perforation. Conclusion: The methods each have advantages and disadvantages. We believe that a step by step approach should be used when choosing the treatment method for postirradiation OME. That is, first apply auripuncture plus aspiration, and then the other methods if this approach is inadequate. Enhanced local care after grommet insertion can effectively reduce the incidence of complications.     

Incidence of perforation with Goode T-tube

Two groups of patients from the same era were retrospectively studied in Cincinnati and Chicago. In Cincinnati two subgroups were studied. The first group received myringotomy with insertion of a 'T'-shaped ventilating tube (75 patients, 140 ears, 147 insertions). Fifty-eight ears still had the tube in place, 31 had healed after spontaneous extrusion, 17 had healed after removal of the tube, 20 had persistent perforation after the tube was gone, 2 had a cholesteatoma, and 4 patients (7 ears) were lost to follow-up. The second set received myringotomy and insertion of a small grommet (Donaldson tube, 71 patients, 140 ears, 164 insertions) tympanostomy tube. None could be documented to still have the tube in place, 156 ears healed after spontaneous extrusion, none required removal, 3 ears had a persistent perforation after the tube was gone, none had cholesteatoma, and 5 patients (5 ears) were lost to follow-up. The perforation rate for the T-tube is 13.6% and for the grommet is 1.8% (P = 0.0005). In Chicago, 93 patients who received the Goode T style tube (175 ears, 175 insertions) prior to March, 1986 were evaluated. The degree of retraction of the tympanic membrane preoperatively was recorded. No ears still had the tube in place, 145 had healed after spontaneous extrusion or removal of the tube, 30 had persistent perforation 12 months after the tube was gone, 4 had a cholesteatoma, and 8 patients (15 ears) were lost to follow-up. The rate of perforation is 18.8% which is not statistically different from the Cincinnati rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)