Effect of Myringotomy and Orally Administered Tsumura-Saireito on Viscoelasticity of Middle Ear Effusions in Children with Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

Myringotomy was performed in 37 ears of 21 children with otitis media with effusion, and their middle ear effusions (MEE) were examined. Tsumura-Saireito was administered in a dose of 3 or 6g/day orally for four weeks following the myringotomy. Fifteen of the 37 ears (40.5%) showed complete or partial recovery on clinical examination.
Both storage modulus (G') and dynamic viscosity (η') of the paired MEEs were determined by an oscillating sphere magnetic rheometer at a frequency of 1Hz under a constant temperature of 25°C. No significant difference was observed in G' and η' between the MEEs before and after treatment. These results indicate that the combination of myringotomy and Tsumura-Saireito did not change the viscoelastic properties of MEE within 4 weeks.