8. Complications and Sequelae

In a paper from the Dutch group long-term consequences of tympanostomy tube treatment is reported. Three hundred fifty-eight subjects with a positive and negative history of OM or tympanostomy tube insertion derived from a birth cohort had been followed-up from preschool to adult age. TM abnormalities were investigated at ages of 8 and 18 years. The occurrence of myringosclerosis was 6 times as common in the tube treated OM ears (56%) compared to the nonOM ears (9%) and the frequencies were not changed throughout the follow-up period. In contrast the frequencies of atrophy, atelectasis and pars flaccida retractions diminished throughout the follow-up period. Atrophies were more common in tubulated ears compared to the nontubulad, 20% vs. 7%, but in contrast to myringosclerosis the occurrence of atrophies decreased with time. Atelectasis and retractions of pars tensa as well as the pars flaccida showed similar dynamics as atrophies but with less differences between the tubulated and nontubulated ears.