The long term outcome of secretory otitis media in children and the effects of surgical treatment: a ten year study.
Two hundred and twenty two children with bilateral secretory otitis media were allocated at random for adenoidectomy, adenotonsillectomy or for neither procedure. In all cases only a unilateral grommet was inserted. The contralateral unoperated ear was examined during a ten year period to show otoscopic clearance, change in tympanometric status and improvement in mean hearing threshold. Adenoidectomy or insertion of a grommet alone produces similar improvement but in combination are more effective than either procedure in isolation. The unoperated ear in cases not receiving either procedure reflects the natural history of the condition. It shows a steady improvement in all outcome measures as time passes.
Maw
A R
AR
Department of Otolaryngology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, UK.
Bawden
R
R
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000233:Adenoidectomy; D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery