This study evaluated the tympanostomy tubes used in 64 children (111 ears) with chronic secretory otitis media that was refractory to medical therapy. The mean period from insertion to extrusion was 10.2 months and the average follow-up period after extrusion was 10.4 months. The treatment was considered to be unsuccessful in ears exhibiting recurrence within four months after extrusion. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in patients in whom extrusion occurred after seven years of age and those in whom the tubes had been retained for more than 8 months compared with the other groups. Therefore, we concluded that the tubes should be retained for more than 8 months and until at reast seven years of age.
