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Retained ventilation tubes: should they be removed at 2 years?
Mohamed A El-Bitar1, Maria T Pena, Sukgi S Choi
1Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|December 17, 2002
Summary
Prolonged ventilation tube retention in children over 2 years increases complication risks. Older children (≥7 years) experience more complications than younger ones, suggesting careful consideration for removal timing.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Otology
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Ventilation tubes are commonly used to treat otitis media with effusion in children.
- Long-term retention of ventilation tubes can lead to various complications.
- Assessing the risks associated with prolonged ventilation tube presence is crucial for pediatric ear health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate complications associated with ventilation tubes retained in children for two years or longer.
- To determine the necessity and optimal timing for ventilation tube removal in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 126 pediatric patients undergoing ventilation tube removal.
- Exclusion of patients with craniofacial anomalies.
- Analysis of complications based on age at removal (under 7 years vs. 7 years and older) and duration of tube retention.
Main Results:
- Complication rates (otorrhea, granulation tissue, TM perforation) significantly increased with longer tube retention (over 5 years vs. 2-3 years).
- Children aged 7 and older showed higher complication rates (23.7%-27.1%) compared to younger children (6.0%-13.4%).
- Tympanic membrane (TM) patching success rates varied by age group, with higher reinsertion rates in younger children.
Conclusions:
- Ventilation tubes retained longer than two years are associated with increased complication rates in children.
- Children aged seven years and older face a higher incidence of complications from prolonged tube retention.
- Early removal in younger children may necessitate reinsertion if otitis media risk persists.