Role of aspiration of middle ear effusions prior to ventilation tube insertion

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the role of middle ear aspiration for clearance of middle ear prior to ventilation tube insertion. This work was done on 36 children aged from 4 to 13 years with bilateral middle ear effusion. They were assessed before surgery by clinical examination, pure tone audiometry and impedance audiometry. Each child underwent bilateral myringotomy with aspiration of the right ear only and bilateral insertion of ventilation tubes. Postoperative follow up of the children 24 hours, one week and 3 months by clinical examination, audiometry and tympanometry showed no significant difference between the ears [the aspirated and non-aspirated] as regard hearing improvement, presence and patency of tubes. So, routine aspiration of middle ear prior to ventilation tube insertion is not necessary to avoid hazards of aspiration