Clinical Study of Laser Myringotomy with Ventilation Tube Insertion on Pediatric Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complications of a knife myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion is rather frequently encountered. To reduce such complications, we have performed myringotomy using a contact Nd YAG laser. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of laser assisted myringotomy (LAM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty three patients (106 ears) of ages 1 to 7 were investigated retrospectively. Under the intravenous general anesthesia, LAM was performed to create a 2.0 mm sized perforation. After LAM, a ventilation tube was inserted. RESULTS: All ears underwent successful placement of ventilation tubes. Compared with knife myringotomies, LAM was safe to use in the atrophic tympanic membrane. There were also less intraoperative bleeding and tube plugging, with much lower postoperative otorrhea and myringosclerosis compared to knife myringotomies. Granuloma around the tube did not occurred. Postoperative improvement of air-bone gap reflects that LAM does not damage the inner ear. CONCLUSION: LAM with ventilation tube insertion is more effective than the previous knife myringotomy.