Opening plugged tympanostomy tubes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the most effective solvents for dissolving plugged tympanostomy tubes.


METHODS
In vitro laboratory study.


METHODS
Twelve solvents (including ototopical antibiotics and water) were applied to fluoroplastic tympanostomy tubes (n = 260) plugged with dried mucoid middle ear effusion in an ear canal-tympanic membrane model. Time to clearance of the tympanostomy tubes was both visually and tympanometrically determined.


RESULTS
Vinegar (P =.0030) and hyaluronidase solutions (P =.0030) were significantly better solvents than water.


CONCLUSIONS
Vinegar and hyaluronidase solutions are more likely to clear plugged tympanostomy tubes than water and ototopical antibiotics, but vinegar is the preferred solution because of its known relative safety for use in the ear.
Westine
John G
JG
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
Giannoni
Carla M
CM
Gajewski
Byron
B
Antonelli
Patrick J
PJ
D004867:Equipment Design; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009093:Mucus; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012997:Solvents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012997:Solvents