Tympanic membrane patching with bandage contact lens after removal of ventilation T tubes.
OBJECTIVE
Early closure of the tympanic membrane, after removal of longstanding ventilation T tubes (VTs), is a desirable outcome. A prospective randomized control study was undertaken to determine if spontaneous healing of the tympanic membrane is promoted with a bandage contact lens (BCL).


METHODS
Thirty-nine paediatric patients, who required removal of VTs under general anaesthesia, were selected. After removal of the ventilation tubes, one tympanic membrane was randomly selected for patching with a BCL, while the other underwent conservative management. Follow-up examination was performed at 2 weeks. Remaining perforations of the tympanic membranes were noted. The mean length of time VTs were present was 35.7 months.


RESULTS
Chi-square analysis reveals that a significantly greater proportion of tympanic membranes patched with a BCL were healed at 2 weeks (p < .005).


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, promotion of spontaneous healing with BCL may allow for decreased risk of infection, improved hearing, and earlier avoidance of precautions necessary for perforated tympanic membranes. Also, it is possible that promoting spontaneous healing at the early phase may decrease the number of persistent tympanic membrane perforations after VT removal.
Caetano
H M
HM
Department of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario.
Maw
J
J
Bernard
P
P
Bonn
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages; D003261:Contact Lenses; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*