Thermal myringotomy versus Grommet's tube insertion in management of childhood secretory otitis media

ABSTRACT

Recently thermal myringotomy has been recommended for the treatment of secretory otitis media [Lau et al., 1985]. In this research work we have studied the effectiveness of this form of surgical treatment by comparing it with the conventional myringotomy and grommet tube insertion in the opposite ear in 50 children having bilateral secretory otitis media during a 3 month follow up period. All thermal myringotomies were healed within 6 weeks. Recurrence of middle ear fluid was evident in 10 cases [20 percent] treated by thermal myringotomy during the three month follow up period while there was no recurrence of fluid in the grommeted ears in the same interval. Thermal myringotomy was found to be more easier, safer and with less complications and costs than the classic myringotomy with grommet tube insertion but still the latter procedure is more effective especially when long-term aeration of the middle ear is needed