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Atypical Indications for OtoScan Laser‐Assisted Myringotomy
Author(s) -
Bent John P.,
April Max M.,
Ward Robert F.
Publication year - 2001
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 - 10.1097/00005537-200101000-00015
Subject(s) - myringotomy , medicine , mastoiditis , middle ear , surgery , otorhinolaryngology , otitis , chronic suppurative otitis media , cholesteatoma , adenoidectomy , tympanostomy tube , tonsillectomy
Objective To describe the role of OtoScan laser‐assisted myringotomy (OtoLAM) for indications other than chronic otitis media or recurrent acute otitis media. Study Design Cross‐sectional review. Methods Twenty‐seven office‐based OtoLAM procedures were performed in 21 patients for “atypical” reasons. The indications included middle ear dysfunction with necessary air travel (n = 10) or hyperbaric oxygen treatment (n = 6), mastoiditis with postauricular cellulitis (n = 2), canal exostosis prohibiting tympanostomy (n = 1), acute otitis media accompanied by seizures (n = 1), and chronic middle ear effusion in a patient with hemophilia (n = 1). Results In each of the 20 cases available for follow‐up, middle ear disease resolved with closure of the laser‐assisted myringotomy. At a later date, two patients (10%) underwent another OtoLAM in the opposite ear and four patients (20%) required repeat OtoLAM in the same or both ears. Three patients (15%) ultimately underwent myringotomy tube placement because of recurrent middle ear dysfunction. Conclusions Although this report contains preliminary data, the data suggest that OtoLAM may provide an additional option in the care of certain patients who have previously been treated with myringotomy tubes.