title: Thermal myringotomy versus grommets in the management of secretory otitis media.
abstract: This paper presents the findings of a study of thermal myringotomy compared with the insertion of a grommet, in 30 children with secretory otitis media. The procedure was found to be easy to perform and free from complications. It provided ventilation of the middle ear for up to 8 weeks. However, there was a recurrence of the middle ear effusion in 40% of the thermal myringotomy ears. On the other hand, grommets were very effective in eliminating effusion over a 6 month period. I was unable to identify any parameter that will predict which patients will remain free of effusion after ventilation with a thermal myringotomy.
authors.affiliation: Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, U.K.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kent
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery*