Long-term effects of ventilation tubes for persistent otitis media with effusion in children

Related Experiment Videos

A G Schilder1, E Hak, H Straatman

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|January 7, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Ventilation tubes for otitis media with effusion (OME) in children showed more tympanic membrane abnormalities but no hearing differences. Early intervention may positively impact development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Otolaryngology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Otitis media with effusion (OME) is common in young children.
  • Ventilation tubes are a common treatment for persistent OME.
  • Long-term effects of ventilation tubes on hearing and development require further study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term otological, auditory, and developmental outcomes in children treated with ventilation tubes for OME.
  • To compare outcomes between surgically treated and untreated children with a history of OME.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study of 7-8-year-old Dutch children.
  • Children treated with ventilation tubes were matched with untreated controls based on OME history, sex, and age.
  • Evaluated tympanic membrane status, middle ear function, hearing, and developmental measures.

Main Results:

  • Treated ears showed a higher prevalence of tympanic membrane abnormalities compared to untreated ears.
  • No significant differences in middle ear function or hearing were observed between the groups.
  • Early surgical intervention demonstrated some positive effects on specific developmental measures.

Conclusions:

  • While ventilation tube treatment for OME may lead to tympanic membrane changes, it does not appear to negatively impact long-term hearing or middle ear function.
  • Early intervention with ventilation tubes may offer developmental benefits in certain aspects.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the developmental impact of OME treatment.

Related Concept Videos

Endotracheal Tube Extubation01:24

Endotracheal Tube Extubation

Endotracheal tube extubation is a critical procedure in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. It involves physically removing the oral or nasal endotracheal (ET) tube, marking the final step in liberating a patient from ventilatory support.
Procedure
Extubation removes the endotracheal tube (ETT) from the patient on mechanical ventilation. It requires a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen01:16

Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen

Oxygen therapy is a pivotal aspect of medical care, particularly for patients with respiratory ailments. Two prominent oxygen-delivering systems include the Venturi mask and the transtracheal oxygen catheter.
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes01:28

Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes

A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an artificial opening into the trachea, typically at the second or third cartilaginous ring level. This opening allows the insertion of a tracheostomy tube, which can replace an endotracheal tube, provide mechanical ventilation, bypass an upper airway obstruction, or remove accumulated tracheobronchial secretions.
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation

Ventilators are essential medical equipment used to aid patients with respiratory difficulties. Their primary function is to assist or replace spontaneous breathing by providing mechanical ventilation. There are two general classes of mechanical ventilators: negative-pressure and positive-pressure ventilators.
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Endotracheal Intubation I: Procedure01:15

Endotracheal Intubation I: Procedure

Endotracheal or ET intubation is a critical medical procedure used to secure a patient's airway, often in acute respiratory distress, apnea, upper airway obstruction, ineffective clearance of secretions, high risk for aspiration, or during general anesthesia.
The ET tube comprises various components, including a standard adaptor to attach a bag-valve-mask (BVM) or ventilator, a cuff, a pilot balloon, and radiopaque markings along its length to measure the insertion distance. The tube sizes...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features01:24

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...