[Follow-up of trans-tympanum tubes]

During a follow-up period varying from 6 months to 6 years, the authors followed 1685 transtympanal ventilating tubes (VT). The mean age of the patients was 4 years 11 months. The mean duration of the VT in the tympanic membrane is 14 months. In 10.4% of the cases otorrhea was noticed. The otorrhea forms a serious problem in 30% of the VT that show drainage; it is more frequent in younger children and in those with a history of recurrent otitis media, especially if they were associated with otorrhea. Perforations persisted in 1.3% of the ears.