Predictive factors for the resolution of childhood otitis media with effusion following initial surgical treatment.
A prospective study of outcome after treatment for glue ear was performed in a sample of 143 children aged between 1 and 11 years. The resolution or recurrence of effusion following initial surgery was analysed in relation to six potentially relevant factors. Multivariate analysis showed that resolution of effusion was statistically more frequent in ears found to have a dry tap at surgery, children with a history of atopy, those who underwent adenoidectomy and it was related to the age of the child at operation. Older children had a better prognosis. Univariate analysis suggested that girls have a significantly better outcome than boys, but this was not confirmed in multivariate analysis. The results suggest that there should be a longer period of observation in atopic individuals and older children. Furthermore, the study showed that ears with dry taps should not be treated with ventilation tubes.
Department of Otolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.
H L
HL
Tay
R P
RP
Mills
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies