title: Otorrhoea via ventilation tubes in adults and children.
abstract: A prospective investigation of 127 children and 41 adults undergoing ventilation tube (grommet) insertion has been carried out. One or more episodes of discharge via a ventilation tube occurred in 14% of the children and 27% of the adults during the in situ lifetime of the tube. So far, 44 of the children have undergone insertion of a second ventilation tube, and of these, 7% have had discharge from one or both tubes. In the paediatric group, discharge was more likely if the child had a history of atopy (Chi-squared, P < 0.03, multiple regression P < 0.03). No other risk factors were identified, but two patients with cholesteatoma were identified in the group with discharge via a tube. In patients with otorrhoea via a tube, which does not settle after removal of the tube, mastoid exploration should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Heaton
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies