Vinegar and hyaluronidase solutions are more likely to clear plugged tympanostomy tubes than water and ototopical antibiotics, but vinegar is the preferred solution because of its known relative safety for use in the ear.

To determine the impact of interventions on the degree of warping of costal cartilage. Methods: The project was conducted at a large university animal research laboratory. The costal cartilage of eight 30-kg domestic pigs was harvested. The cartilage was cut into central and peripheral segments with a standard cutting die. Two sizes of rectangular cubes were compared. The central portions of costal cartilage were segmented and glued with octyl-2-cyanoacrylate. The shape of the cartilage was documented with both digital and film photography. The cartilage was placed into subdermal pockets on the dorsum of the pigs. The animals were killed at 4 weeks, and the cartilage was photographed. Adobe Photoshop software was used to measure the degree of warping. Statistical analysis was calculated by t test analysis. Results: A total of 115 rectangular costal cartilage blocks were treated. Large blocks warped less than small blocks (PϽ.02). Centrally cut blocks warped less than peripherally cut blocks (PϽ.03). The octyl-2-cyanoacrylate incited a significant sterile inflammatory response such that the blocks could not be accurately assessed for warpage. Conclusion: Costal cartilage can be effectively used for grafting in rhinoplasty with minimal warping if large grafts from the central portion of cartilage are used.

Tympanostomy tube plug composition is more similar to mucoid effusion than to blood or cerumen. Solvents to open plugged tympanostomy tubes should be directed against the components of mucoid effusion.