Tympanic membrane perforations and tympanostomy tubes

Abstract

Tympanoplasty and tympanostomy tubes were developed at the same time and have dramatically changed the treatment of chronic middle ear disease. One hundred forty-nine children who had tubes inserted between ages 6 months and 8 years for chronic otitis media with effusion have been prospectively followed up for an average of 4 years. Fourteen percent developed tympanic membrane perforations. No preoperative factor completely predicted the development of perforation. A majority of the perforations closed spontaneously. Three ears had noncontiguous observations of perforations during follow-up. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to tympanoplasty.