Effectiveness of grommet insertion in resistant otitis media with effusion

ABSTRACT

To determine the effectiveness of myringotomy and grommet insertion [MGI] in patients with otitis media and effusion [OME], who failed medical treatment. Mahayel Private Hospital, Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia. Retrospective study. Records of eighty-six children [50 boys and 36 girls], aged 1-12 years, who had MGI for chronic OME between January 2005 and December 2010 were reviewed. Patients' data included presenting complaints, indications for MGI, ear examination, hearing threshold and tympanometry. The age ranged from 1 to 12 years, 62 [72.1%] were less than 6 years old. Hearing and academic performance improved after grommet insertion. The study revealed that OME occurred mostly in preschool age. Hearing loss was noticed in 64 [74.4%], impaired social interaction in 37 [43%], difficulty in learning in 15 [17.4%] and delayed speech in 11 [12.8%]. The leading presenting complaint is hearing loss. MGI is indicated if medical treatment failed. Hearing threshold improves significantly postoperatively