T-tubes for persistent middle ear effusion?

Pediatrics — Abstracts: Paradise et al. 112 (2): 265

In otherwise healthy children who are younger than 3 years and have persistent MEE within the duration limits that we studied, prompt insertion of tympanostomy tubes does not measurably improve developmental outcomes at 4 years of age. In such children, persistent MEE within the duration limits that we studied is negligibly associated with and probably does not affect developmental outcomes at 4 years of age.

Soooo … from the Mecca of otitis media research comes a paper on how interventions does not improve outcomes.  A welcome feather in the cap of those who prefer to wait till this goes away.  So in the past 15 years, the treatment of persistent MEE has been

  • 1988: Antibiotics – and t-tubes if no resolution
  • 1994: Observation – and t – tubes if no resolution
  • 2003: Observation and more observation if no resolution.

Primium non nocere!

2 thoughts on “T-tubes for persistent middle ear effusion?

  1. I have a 5 year old son he has gone thru the surgery for tubes they feel out and is still having problems with his ears now the want to put him t-tubes and I am scared this is my only son and would like any information on t-tubes if possible please help me with this issue….
    thanks Ramona

  2. I have a 5 year old son he has gone thru the surgery for tubes they feel out and is still having problems with his ears now the want to put him t-tubes and I am scared this is my only son and would like any information on t-tubes if possible please help me with this issue….
    thanks Ramona

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