Tympanostomy Tubes: The Conservative Approach

The clear advantage accruing from the use of tympanostomy tubes in the treatment of otitis media with effusion is immediate improvement in hearing; there are also disadvantages entailed, such as scarring of the drum, risk of continuing otorrhea and interference with the patient's normal physical activities. All possible forms of medical treatment should be exhausted (antihistamine decongestants, politzerization) before resorting to tympanostomy tubes. There is a small group of children with severe chronic nasal obstruction and otitis media with effusion for whom adenoidectomy is likely to be required.