Conservative treatment of otitis media with effusion by autoinflation of the middle ear.

A total of 85 children on the waiting list for grommet insertion aged between 3 and 10 years with bilateral chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) were assigned at random to an observation or treatment group. Those in the treatment group were given the Otovent device to use three times a day for the duration of the study and both groups were then seen at monthly intervals for 3 months for pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometry. Statistically significant improvement was seen in those using the treatment with a compliance of more than 70%. This was detected on the outcome measures of tympanometry and pneumatic otoscopy after 1, 2 and 3 months. No side effects were demonstrated. We conclude that autoinflation is an effective short-term treatment for children with OME when used regularly under supervision.

[1]  V. Balle,et al.  Autoinflation as a treatment of secretory otitis media. A randomized controlled study. , 1992, Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery.

[2]  C. Bluestone,et al.  Lack of Efficacy of Middle-Ear Inflation: Treatment of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children , 1989, Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

[3]  P. Bonding,et al.  Tympanosclerosis of the drum in secretory otitis after insertion of grommets , 1983, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

[4]  T. Lildholdt.  Ventilation tubes in secretory otitis media. A randomized, controlled study of the course, the complications, and the sequelae of ventilation tubes. , 1983, Acta oto-laryngologica. Supplementum.

[5]  M. Fiellau-nikolajsen.  Tympanometry and middle ear effusion: a cohort-study in three-year-old children. , 1980, International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology.

[6]  R. Schwartz,et al.  Treatment of negative middle ear pressure and serous otitis media with Politzer's technique. An old procedure revisited. , 1978, Archives of otolaryngology.

[7]  J. J. Shea.  Autoinflation Treatment of Serous Otits Media in Children , 1971, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

[8]  R. Hunt-Williams.  A Method for Maintaining Middle-ear Ventilation in Children , 1968, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

[9]  C. S. Hallpike,et al.  Air embolism as a complication of inflation of the tympanum through the external auditory meatus. A clinico-pathological study of a fatal case. , 1968, Acta oto-laryngologica.

[10]  C. Thulin,et al.  Lethal Intracranial Complications Following Inflation in the External Auditory Canal in Treatment of Serous Otitis Media and Due to Defects in the Petrous Bone , 1965 .

[11]  G. Howard Gottschalk.  Serous otitis: Treatment by controlled middle ear inflation , 1962, The Laryngoscope.

[12]  B W ARMSTRONG,et al.  A new treatment for chronic secretory otitis media. , 1954, A.M.A. archives of otolaryngology.