Comparison of Recovery Rate and Sequelae of Various Location of Ventilation Tube Insertion

Ventilation tube (VT) insertion is the most common otologic operations performed in children, which has great importance in recovery and prevention of hearing loss in children with Eustachian tube dysfunction in critical ages of growth development. The location of the VT insertion varies in different studies; the differences are in the recovery rates and sequelae of VT insertion. This study is performed to compare results of various locations of VT insertion in hearing recovery rate and postoperative sequelae in the Booali Hospital from 1999 to 2000 (one-year period). This investigation is a clinical trial in 34 patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction; cases were selected according to history, otologic examination, adenoid radiography, audiometry (SRT, PTAGAP) and tympanometry. The operating time consumed in the VT insertion and postoperative sequelae were recorded. Recovery rates of SAR and PTAGap were 25.14 dB and 18.41 dB in anterosuperior (AS) versus 18/67 dB and 14/85 dB in anteroinferior (AI) VT insertion respectively. Obstruction and otorrhea after VT insertion were 0, 4 and 13, 11 in AS and AI, respectively. Time difference in the AS versus AI was not significant. The assessment confirmed that anterosuperior VT insertion has better hearing recovery rate and lower postoperative sequelae. Acta Medica Iranica, 40(2): 244-246: 2002