Use of middle ear ventilation tubes in recurrent acute otitis media

A method of treatment of recurrent acute otitis media with polythene middle ear ventilation tubes in young children is presented. 56 ears in which infection had persisted for one to six months despite antibiotic therapy and multiple myringotomies were included in the study. The tubes were inserted under topical anaesthesia and cure within one week was obtained in 73 per cent of ears. In another 9 per cent the otorrhoea stopped within 3 weeks, but in 18 per cent reinsertion of the tube became necessary and in this latter group 11 per cent resolved in two weeks following adenoidectomy as well. In 7 per cent the problem remained unresolved. Therefore with this regimen a total of 93 per cent of recurrent infections settled. It is emphasized that the ventilation tube should remain 'in situ' for over 3 months.