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What Your Colleagues Think of Tympanostomy Tubes—28 Years Later
Author(s) -
Todd N. Wendell
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199907000-00003
Subject(s) - tympanostomy tube , medicine , perforation , otitis , dentistry , surgery , pediatrics , materials science , metallurgy , punching
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.