Tympanostomy tubes for serous otitis media and risk of recurrences.

Objectives: To determine the value of tympanostomy tubes (TTs) in the management of serous otitis media (SOM) and the risk factors for SOM recurrence.

Method: This single-centre cohort study was performed in the University hospital of Amiens, France; and concerned 215 under-12 children having undergone at least one bilateral TT (Shepard grommet-type) placements for SOM.

Results: The mean TT retention time was 10 months. SOM recurred in 79 children (62.79%) and thus required a second TT placement (bilaterally in 90% of these cases). Overall, 29.3% of the patients underwent a total of two TT placements, 5.58% underwent three placements and 0.93% underwent four placements. After their first-ever TT placement, 17 children had complications: 10 cases of otorrhoea (4.6%), 4 cases of retraction pocket (1.9%) and 3 perforations of the tympanic membrane (1.4%). At last follow-up, the most common complications were tympanosclerosis (6.9%) and perforation of the tympanic membrane (6.5%). In a multivariate analysis, the only significant risk factors for SOM recurrence were age below 48 months at the time of TT placement, and a TT retention time below 9 months. In contrast, a history of allergy, gastro-oesophageal reflux, prematurity or passive smoking were not significantly associated with recurrence.

Conclusion: Age at the time of TT placement and the TT retention time were significantly associated with SOM recurrence. The TT retention time and the number of TT placements were not associated with the risk of long-term complications.