Is aspiration necessary before tympanostomy tube insertion?

Egeli E., Kiris M.

LARYNGOSCOPE, vol.108, no.3, pp.443-444, 1998 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 108 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 1998
  • Doi Number: 10.1097/00005537-199803000-00024
  • Journal Name: LARYNGOSCOPE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.443-444
  • Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Aspiration of middle ear fluid after myringotomy is performed routinely, although investigators imply a cause-and-effect relationship between suction noise and acoustic trauma. This prospective randomized study investigated if aspiration was necessary. Fifty-one myringotomies and 50 tympanostomy tube insertions were performed on 27 patients. A suction instrument was utilized in 24 ears and was not used in 27 ears. In a follow-up period, no difference was observed between the two groups. The authors did not establish that aspiration is indeed harmful, but tympanostomy tube insertion can be performed without suctioning middle ear effusion.