Office myringotomy-KHMC experience

ABSTRACT

to describe myringotomy and pressure equalization tube [PET] insertion using topical lidocaine anesthesia at the out patient ENT clinic. between July 2000 and August 2002, 82 patients with mean age of 22.2 years [range 12 -74 yrs] presented with unilateral or bilateral conductive hearing loss, due to serous otitis media, of 2.5 months duration [range 0.3- 9 months] myringotomy was performed using myringotomy knife followed by PET insertion in 155 ears. Aerosol spray containing lidocaine base 5.05 gm and cetrimide B.P 0.35 gm applied to the tympanic membrane was used as a topical anesthetic PET was successfully inserted in all cases [100%] pain at the time of procedure was described as "absent" in patients [71%], "present but tolerable" in [25%], and "severe" in [4%]. office myringotomy with PET tube insertion using topical anesthesia in this age group is feasible, effective, short, safe and well tolerated