Risk Factors for Replacement of Tympanostomy Tubes After Surgical Removal for Pediatric Patients

Ear tube removal and patch myringoplasty are frequently performed. The indication and timing for surgery varies among otolaryngologists. This study identifies risk factors associated with the need for the replacement of tympanostomy tubes after tube removal and myringoplasty.

Case series with chart review.

Single institution academic otolaryngology practice.

Patients younger than 12 years of age who underwent tympanostomy tube removal and myringoplasty at the University of Rochester Medical Center from March 2011 to September 2019. Patients with tympanostomy tube removal due to chronic otorrhea were excluded.

One hundred sixty-one patients (230 ears) met inclusion criteria and had sufficient follow-up. Myringoplasty success after tube removal was 94.8%. Successful myringoplasty was associated with shorter tube duration (32 months) versus unsuccessful myringoplasty (40 months) (P = .02). Replacement tympanostomy tubes after myringoplasty occurred in 9.6% of ears. There was no difference in average patient age (P = .96) or duration of tubes (P = .74) in patients who required replacement of tympanostomy tubes versus patients who did not require tube replacement. Patients with a cleft abnormality were more likely to require tympanostomy tube replacement (P < .001).

Most children do not need tubes replaced after removal. This study identified cleft abnormality as a factor that increased the need for replacement tubes. Longer tube durations of over 3 years negatively impacted myringoplasty success. Tympanostomy tube removal should be considered 2 to 3 years after placement in most patients with longer tube durations considered in children with a repaired cleft palate.