An Overview of the Tympanostomy Tube

Otitis media is a disorder of the middle ear, which can occur at any age but is more common among infants and children. The patient usually presents with earaches, impaired hearing, and fever. If antibiotics and decongestants do not suit the patient, a myringotomy can be performed to achieve middle ear aeration. In myringotomy, a slit is created in the tympanic membrane, and fluid is removed with suction. In cases where myringotomy, aspiration, and medical care don't help and the fluid recurs, a tympanostomy tube is inserted to create continuous aeration of the middle ear. A tympanostomy tube is a small tube inserted in the tympanic membrane which helps in the prevention of fluid accumulation in the middle ear. These tubes are temporary and often fall off after the ear heals. Other names for tympanostomy tubes are grommet, myringotomy tube, or pressure equalizing tube. Initially, tympanostomy tubes were made of metal but now fluoroplastic or silicone elastomers are used to make them. The two basic designs of a tympanostomy tube are short-term tube and long-term tube. The choice of a tympanostomy tube depends on factors like age, the period needed for ventilation, socioeconomic status, and the extent of the retracted eardrum. The incidence of occlusion, infection, functional duration, and persistent perforation following extrusion varies between the designs and materials. Every year, many children are affected by recurrent otitis media, which can negatively influence their quality of life and their ability to hear and communicate. With so many children requiring tympanostomy tubes, choosing the appropriate tube is vital to provide optimal treatment and limit complications.