A Myringotomy and Ventilating Tube Applicator: New Look at a Five-Century-Old Procedure

Abstract

Objective: To fabricate a single instrument that can be used to perform myringotomy and insert a pressure equalizing tube at almost the same time. Methods: Study Design: Surgical Instrumentation Setting: Tertiary Private Hospital Subject: A chicken egg membrane was used as a tympanic membrane model Result: The fabricated instrument was able to perforate the egg membrane and apply the modified polyethylene pressure equalizing tube in less than one minute without complications. Conclusion: The prototype applicator can facilitate myringotomy and pressure equalizing (PE) tube insertion at only a fraction of the time it usually takes to do the standard myringotomy and subsequent ventilating tube insertion. Keywords: Myringotomy, pressure equalizing tube, ventilating tube, acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, polyethylene tube

Keywords

• Myringotomy, pressure equalizing tube, ventilating tube, acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, polyethylene tube