Klopp-Dutote N, et al. - An inquiry was set up with regard to the value of tympanostomy tubes (TTs) in the management of serous otitis media (SOM). In addition, experts attempted to identify the risk factors for SOM recurrence. Findings shed light on a prominent correlation between age at the time of TT placement and the TT retention time with SOM recurrence. Nonetheless, no connection was determined between the TT retention time and the number of TT placements with the risk of long-term complications.

Methods

• The design of this research was a single-centre cohort study.
• It was carried out at the University hospital of Amiens, France.
• The enrollment consisted of 215 under-12 children who underwent at least one bilateral TT (Shepard grommet-type) placements for SOM.

Results

• It was reported that the mean TT retention time was 10 months.
• Recurrence of SOM was found in 79 children (62.79%), thereby warranting a second TT placement (bilaterally in 90% of these cases).
• Herein, 29.3% of the patients underwent a total of two TT placements, 5.58% underwent three placements and 0.93% underwent four placements.
• Complications were disclosed in 17 children: 10 cases of otorrhoea (4.6%), 4 cases of retraction pocket (1.9%) and 3 perforations of the tympanic membrane (1.4%) following their first-ever TT placement.
• Tympanosclerosis (6.9%) and perforation of the tympanic membrane (6.5%) were discovered to be the most common complications at the last follow-up.
• The following were the only prominent risk factors for SOM recurrence: Age below 48 months at the time of TT placement; a TT retention time below 9 months, as revealed by a multivariate analysis.
• On the other hand, no notable relation was brought to light between a history of allergy, gastro-oesophageal reflux, prematurity or passive smoking with recurrence.