Tympanostomy tube

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The grommet is less than 2 mm tall, smaller than a match head.
Tubes of a more permanent style, unlike those typically used in the United States. These tubes remained in place for four years until one spontaneously left the ear drum. The other was removed with tweezers after having partially disengaged from the ear drum. The removal process can cause significant pain for several minutes.

A tympanostomy tube (also known as a grommet, T-tube, ear tube, pressure equalization tube, vent, PE tube or myringotomy tube) is a small tube inserted into the eardrum in order to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged period of time, and to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear. The operation to insert the tube involves a myringotomy and is performed under local or general anesthesia. The tube itself is made in a variety of designs. The most commonly used type is shaped like a grommet. When it is necessary to keep the middle ear ventilated for a very long period, a "T"-shaped tube may be used, as these "T-tubes" can stay in place for 2-4 years. Materials used to construct the tube are most often plastics such as silicone or Teflon. Stainless steel tubes exist, but are no longer in frequent use.

Indications

Long term studies have called the necessity of routine ear tube surgery into question,[1][2] but current guidelines for American otolaryngologists indicate tube placement in the following conditions:

  1. Chronic otitis media with persistent effusion for 6 months (one ear) or 3 months (both ears).
  2. Recurrent acute otitis media: 3 ear infections in 6 months or 4 infections in a year.
  3. Persistent eustachian tube dysfunction
  4. Barotrauma: Especially for prevention of recurrent episodes (e.g., after air travel, hypobaric chamber treatment).

Procedure

Although myringotomy with tube insertion can be performed under local anesthesia during a regular doctor's appointment in co-operative adults, patients requiring tube insertion are very often young children. Since damage to the ear is possible unless the patient stays quite still while being manipulated, any patient who may have difficulty lying still during the procedure typically undergoes myringotomy and tube insertion under general anesthesia.

The insertion of tympanostomy tubes is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on children. In the USA, it is the most common reason for a child to undergo a general anaesthetic.[3]

Outcome

Tympanostomy tubes generally remain in the eardrum for six months to two years, with T-tubes lasting up to four years. They generally spontaneously fall out of the eardrum as the skin of the eardrum slowly migrates out towards the ear canal wall over time. The eardrum usually closes without a residual hole at the tube site but in a small number of cases a perforation can persist. There is debate among clinicians as to whether long-lasting tubes are associated with a higher incidence of adverse outcomes, such as persistent perforation, cholesteatoma, tympanosclerosis and others, as opposed to tubes designed to last for shorter durations.

See also

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ Vaile L. Williamson T. Waddell A. Taylor G. Interventions for ear discharge associated with grommets (ventilation tubes)
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