Long‐term Impact of Middle Ear Effusion in Pediatric Tympanostomy Tubes

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis Bilateral myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement (BMT) is the most common pediatric surgery in the United States. Intraoperative middle ear effusion (MEE) is a risk factor for future BMTs in children with recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM). However, the impact of the type of MEE is unknown. Here, we assess otologic outcomes based on intraoperative MEE type and indication for surgery. Study Design Case series chart review. Methods After institutional review board approval, we performed a review of children undergoing BMTs between 2008 and 2009. Included patients had their first BMT, preoperative visit, and an operative report. Patients with cleft palate or Down syndrome were excluded. Indications for surgery included RAOM and chronic otitis media with effusion (COME). Other variables evaluated were future BMT, acquired cholesteatoma, and otorrhea. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. Results Out of 1,045 patients reviewed, 680 were included and underwent their first BMT. There were 619 patients who had RAOM. Serous effusions were present in 22.2%, mucoid in 31.3%, purulent in 12.9%, undocumented or bloody in 2.3% of patients, and 31.2% of patients had dry middle ears. Moreover, 22.7% of patients underwent future BMTs. In RAOM patients, serous effusions decreased odds of perforation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.195, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0438‐0.867, P = .032), and purulent effusions increased the odds of in‐office otorrhea suctioning (OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.20‐3.77, P = .010) compared to dry. Mucoid effusions had no significant effect on outcomes in COME or RAOM patients. Conclusions Intraoperative MEEs were noted in 68.7% of cases; purulent effusions increase the odds of in‐office suctioning in RAOM patients. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E993–E997, 2021