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Updated: May 23, 2026

Techniques of Endoscopic Ossiculoplasty
Published on: January 26, 2024
Effect of tympanostomy tube surface on occlusion
Nimish A Patel1, Ethan G Sherman, Patrick J Antonelli
1University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, 1600 SW Archer Road, Suite M2-228 Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
Objective:
Premature tympanostomy tube (TT) occlusion frequently leads to TT replacement surgery. TT surface preparations have been suggested as a means of reducing TT occlusion. The purpose of this study is to determine if commercial TT compositions or surface preparations impact the rate of TT occlusion using an in vitro model.
Methods:
Commercial TTs composed of titanium, fluoroplastic, and silicone, as well as human serum albumin coated titanium, phosphorylcholine coated fluoroplastic, and polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone TTs, were tested for occlusion development in a previously validated in vitro model that simulates middle ear air and mucus flow.
Results:
Time to occlusion was longer with all coated TTs relative to all uncoated TTs (p=0.038). Polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone TTs had the lowest rate of occlusion and improvement relative to silicone (36% vs. 70%). Time to occlusion was longer in all coated TTs, but individually, none reached statistical significance.
Conclusion:
TT composition and surface preparations do not dramatically impact the development of TT occlusion. All tested surface coatings seem to delay TT occlusion in this in vitro model. In vivo testing will be necessary to validate these findings.
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