[Long-term curative effect of ventilation tube insertion for otitis media with effusion in adult patients].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the long-term effect of ventilation tube insertion in treating patients with non-tumor adult-onset otitis media with effusion (OME).


METHODS
During the period from 1999 to 2001, a total of 153 adult patients received ventilation tube insertion for OME and were followed up for 12-18 months postoperatively. A retrospective analysis of these cases was conducted.


RESULTS
Out of the 153 patients, 81 had received at least one previous operation of ventilation tube insertion. During 12-18 months following the operation, the ventilation tubes were extruded in 89 patients, among whom 55 had OME recurrence. The recurrence of OME following ventilation tube extrusion was significantly correlated to the pathological changes in the nose or nasopharynx of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The underlying pathological changes may lead to recurrence of adult-onset OME following extrusion of the ventilation tube, therefore, better long-term outcome may be expected only after identifying the underlying pathological changes and giving them appropriate treatment in addition to ventilation tube insertion.
Jiang
Gang
G
Department of Otolaryngology, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. jiangali6370@x263.net
Liu
Yong-hong
YH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies