Complication of self-manufactured polyethylene tube for the treatment of children with middle ear effusion in Songklanagarind Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the complication rates of self-manufactured polyethylene tube in Songklanagarind Hospital. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was performed of 61 tympanostomy tube insertion cases in children at Songklanagarind Hospital during 1997-2004. Charts were reviewed for age, sex, clinical presentation, severity of hearing loss, surgical procedure performed and complications. Results: The most common complication was otorrhea. Otorrhea occured in 18% within 12 months after tube insertion. A persistent perforation developed 8.1% after tube extrusion. Conclusion: The outcome of children treated with self-manufactured polyethylene-tubes was favorable in comparison to the reported outcome of children treated with conventional tympanostomy tube.

Keywords

• self-manufactured polyethylene tube
• complication
• middle ear effusion