title: Ventilation tubes, swimming and otorrhoea: a New Zealand perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare advice given by specialist otolaryngologists to patients following ventilation tube insertion and the management of purulent otorrhoea in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal questionnaire was sent to all 59 specialists currently listed in the New Zealand Otolaryngology Specialist Register.
  
  
  RESULTS
  96.5% of specialist otolaryngologists replied, 88% in sufficient detail for analysis in this study. The vast majority (96%) allowed patients to swim with tubes in situ, and all allowed hair washing. Advice for ear protection varied. If otorrhoea develops with ventilation tubes in situ, 90% of specialists advise patients to stop swimming, but allow hair washing to continue with ear protection. Ninety percent of specialists' initial treatment of otorrhoea involves a combination of suction toilet and topical steroid/antibiotic drops.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, specialist otolaryngologists in New Zealand give similar advice to patients with ventilation tubes. However, the specific methods of ear protection advised when swimming and hair washing varies markedly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Christchurch Hospital.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fields
mesh_terms: D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004430:Ear Protective Devices; D005601:Framycetin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006096:Gramicidin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006203:Hair Preparations; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D009355:Neomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009520:New Zealand; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010036:Otolaryngology; D012008:Recurrence; D013550:Swimming
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006203:Hair Preparations; C081596:betamethasone, neomycin drug combination; D006096:Gramicidin; D005601:Framycetin; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; C023881:Sofradex; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000658:Amoxicillin; D001623:Betamethasone; D009355:Neomycin