[Long-term results of tube insertion in treating otitis media with effusion]

The authors present the long-term results of 50 patients, who were treated with tube insertion because of chronic serous otitis. During the 7 years observation period 60% of the patients were healed, in 40% of the patients at the end of the observation period negative pressure with effusion or without effusion were found or tube was inserted. In 5% of their patients even repeated tube insertion could not prevent the developing of adhesive otitis or cholesteatoma. On the basis of patients material it was found, that the period of the existence of serous otitis is a major factor in the development of irreversible damage. However the usage of the pressure equilibration tube possibly decrease the irreversible damage, it will be a future to establish new treatment methods.