Tympanostomy with insertion of a tube into the middle ear to allow drainage: This is the most frequently performed otolaryngologic procedure in the United States; however, permanent perforation is possible.
In a study of 248 pediatric patients who received tympanostomy tubes and postoperative otic drop therapy, Conrad et al found that occlusion of the tubes was most prevalent in patients with middle ear fluid and in those with longer time to postsurgical follow-up. The investigators, who conducted a retrospective medical record review, found that at first follow-up, one or both tubes were occluded in 10.6% of patients. Children with no serous fluid were found to be 3 times more likely to be free of tube obstructions than were children with fluid. It was also found that the chance of occlusion increased in relation to the amount of time that existed between surgery and follow-up. [7, 8]
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Tympanic membrane (TM) as continuation of the upper wall of external auditory canal (EAC) with angle of incline up to 45 degrees on the border between middle ear and the EAC.
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Normal tympanic membrane. Pars tensa (PT), pars flaccida (PF), light reflex (LR), fibrous ring (FR), umbo (Um), handle of malleus (HM), lateral process of malleus (Lpm), anterior plica (AP), posterior plica (PP).
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Mirror display of a tympanic membrane surface on the polymeric masc from external acoustical canal of healthy man. Masc of tympanic membrane surface (MtmS).
