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Water precautions and tympanostomy tubes: a randomized, controlled trial
Nira A Goldstein1, Ellen M Mandel, Marcia Kurs-Lasky
1ENT Research Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. ngoldstein@downstate.edu
The Laryngoscope
|February 4, 2005
Summary
For young children with ear tubes, using ear plugs during water activities showed a small but significant decrease in otorrhea (middle ear fluid discharge) rates. Routine ear plug use may not be necessary due to minimal clinical impact.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Otorrhea is a common complication in children with tympanostomy tubes.
- Water exposure is a potential risk factor for otorrhea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if using ear plugs reduces otorrhea incidence in young children with tympanostomy tubes during water activities.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded, controlled trial.
- 201 children (6 months–6 years) with tympanostomy tubes were randomized into ear plug or no ear plug groups.
- Follow-up occurred monthly for 1 year, with additional visits for otorrhea.
Main Results:
- 47% of children using ear plugs developed otorrhea versus 56% without ear plugs (P = .21).
- The monthly otorrhea rate was 0.07 with ear plugs and 0.10 without (P = .05).
- A statistically significant increase in otorrhea rate was observed in children not using ear plugs.
Conclusions:
- A small but statistically significant increase in otorrhea rate occurs in children with tympanostomy tubes who swim and bathe without ear plugs.
- The clinical significance of this increase is small, suggesting routine ear plug use may be unnecessary.