Efficacy of subannular tube insertion for pathological retraction tympanic membrane

Abstract

Objective: Subannular tube insertion is a surgical treatment for refractory otitis media with effusion, atelectatic tympanic membrane, and adhesive otitis media. We evaluated the clinical course and the efficacy of the procedure for cases in which subannular tube insertion was performed in our department.

Patients: This study included 11 patients (13 ears) aged 6–13 years who underwent surgery from December 2012 to December 2015.

Results: The tube remained in situ in one ear, and was naturally extruded or removed in 12 ears within the same period. The tubes remained in place for an average of 14 months. The improvement in the air bone gap was 13.9 dB (range –1.6 to 30 db). There were four cases of postoperative infection and no cases of permanent perforation following extrusion or removal of the tube.

Conclusions: Subannular tube insertion has a low risk of permanent perforation, and is well indicated in atelectatic tympanic membrane because the outcomes were good without reinsertion after extrusion or removal. However, most cases with adhesive otitis media required reinsertion and tympanoplasty. Therefore, the indication of subannular tube insertion should be carefully considered in these cases.