title: Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media. Comparison of tympanostomy tubes and medication versus ventilation.
abstract: Experiences with tympanostomy tubes extending over a period of 29 years are compared with the computer-assisted analysis of a questionnaire that was submitted to 500 otolaryngologists. Ventilating tubes are being used by 99.4% of the respondents in the group and are estimated to achieve good to excellent results in 90% of patients treated. Appropriate use of tympanostomy tubes has significantly reduced the incidence of chronic ear disease. A comparison of prophylactic antibiotics and prophylactic ventilating tubes for the prevention of acute otitis media showed that 91% of the participants in the survey found ventilating tubes to be more effective than antibiotics. Benefits from ventilating tubes far outweigh the small number of tube-induced complications.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000009:adverse effects; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents