title: Effect of tympanostomy tube surface on occlusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Premature tympanostomy tube (TT) occlusion frequently leads to TT replacement surgery. TT surface preparations have been suggested as a means of reducing TT occlusion. The purpose of this study is to determine if commercial TT compositions or surface preparations impact the rate of TT occlusion using an in vitro model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Commercial TTs composed of titanium, fluoroplastic, and silicone, as well as human serum albumin coated titanium, phosphorylcholine coated fluoroplastic, and polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone TTs, were tested for occlusion development in a previously validated in vitro model that simulates middle ear air and mucus flow.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time to occlusion was longer with all coated TTs relative to all uncoated TTs (p=0.038). Polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silicone TTs had the lowest rate of occlusion and improvement relative to silicone (36% vs. 70%). Time to occlusion was longer in all coated TTs, but individually, none reached statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TT composition and surface preparations do not dramatically impact the development of TT occlusion. All tested surface coatings seem to delay TT occlusion in this in vitro model. In vivo testing will be necessary to validate these findings.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, 1600 SW Archer Road, Suite M2-228 Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
authors.forename: Nimish A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Ethan G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Antonelli
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials