title: Post-surgical tympanostomy tube follow up with audiology: experience at the Freeman Hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tympanostomy tube (grommet) insertion is a common procedure, with little guidance in the current literature regarding post-operative surveillance. Our institution implemented a protocol to follow up post-surgical grommet patients via audiology at six weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective audit of all patients less than 16 years old who had undergone grommet insertion during a three-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 149 patients had grommets inserted. Exclusion criteria left a cohort of 123 individuals; 82 (67 per cent) were followed up by audiology. Of these, 13 (11 per cent) did not attend follow up, and were discharged; 53 (43 per cent) were discharged from audiology with normal thresholds; and 16 (13 per cent) were referred back to a consultant. Therefore, the overall reduction in patients followed up by an otolaryngologist was 54 per cent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend a six-week follow up with audiology following grommet insertion, allowing for referral back to ENT services in the event of related complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, UK. camerondh@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Davies-Husband
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harker
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Yates
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001298:Audiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors