Incidence of Complications Developed after the Insertion of Ventilation Tube in Children under 6 years old in 2008-2009

INTRODUCTION: One of the main treatments of chronic otitis media with effusion is ventilation of the middle ear with a ventilation tube (VT). The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and the types of VT complications in children with otitis media with effusion in Ahwaz. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, the medical records of 208 children (52 male and 35 female) in Imam Khomeini and Apadana hospitals were reviewed. The children were between 10 months and 6 years old. The patients were followed up 12-18 months after ventilation tube insertion. We reviewed age, sex, postoperative otorrhea, eardrum atrophy, tympanosclerosis and persistent perforation. In all these patients, the indication for surgery was chronic middle ear effusion. The data were analyzed and presented as numbers and percentages using SPSS17.0. RESULTS: Transient otorrhea occurred in 12.5% and delayed otorrhea in 8.2%. Otorrhea non-responsive to medical treatment was seen in 1.9%. Complications after tympanostomy tube extrusion included atrophy (27.8%) myringosclerosis (37.9%), and persistent perforation (2.4%).The average extrusion time was 10.5 ±5 months (ranging between 3-22 months). CONCLUSION: After extrusion of the ventilation tube, patients should be followed up regularly for recurrence of OME. Myringosclerosis, tympanic membrane atrophy and otorrhea are the most common complications of otitis media with effusion. However, they are generally insignificant. Consequently, in the majority of these complications, there is no need for any treatment.