Long-term follow-up after tympanostomy tube insertion in children with serous otitis media

Introduction: The authors report about the efficacy of inserted tympanostomy tube in children with serous otitis media. Aim: The aim of the authors was to assess the status of eardrum, the function of Eustachian tube and hearing level 10 years after the use of tympanostomy tube. Method: Patients filled up a questionnaire and microscopic examination of tympanic membrane, tympanometry, Eustachian tube function examination, and audiometry tests were performed. Results: In the period of 2003-2004, ventilation tube insertion was performed in 711 patients in the ENT Department of Pediatric Health Center of University of Szeged. In 349 patients adenotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion, in 18 cases tonsillectomy and grommet insertion and in 344 patients only typmanostomy tube insertion were performed. Due to objective difficulties (address change, no phone number) 453 patients were asked for control test and 312 persons accepted the invitation. Normal hearing level was found in 84.6% of patients and normal tympanometry result occurred in 82%. Tympanic ventilation disorder, perforation of tympanic membrane, sensorineural hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss due to noise exposure were diagnosed. Conclusions: Application of tympanostomy tube is effective in the treatment of serous otitis media resulting from ventilation disorder. The authors draw attention to the importance of tympanometry examination to prevent the adhesive processes and cholesteatoma in chronic ventilation disorder of the middle ear.