The relationship between the tympanostomy tube extrusion time and viscosity

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the correlation between the tympanostomy tube extrusion time and the viscosity of the middle ear fluid.

Methods: Thirty-three patients who were scheduled for a tympanostomy tube (TT) insertion were included in the study. During the paracentesis procedure, fluid from the middle ear was obtained, and the viscosity was measured with a viscometer. Patients with effusion values below and above the median viscosity value of 439 cP (cP) were assigned to Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. After the surgery, the patients were followed up monthly until the tubes were observed to be extruded.

Results: The analysis of the correlation between the tube extrusion time and the viscosity was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The mean tube extrusion time of Group 1 (12.65 ± 4.152 months) was slightly lower than that of Group 2 (13.81 ± 4.43 months); however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The tube extrusion time can be longer or shorter and is independent of the effusion viscosity. Further studies are needed to clarify the factors that affect the TT extrusion time.

Trial registration number: NCT03848026.

Keywords: Middle ear effusion; Otitis media, secretory; Otitis media, serous; Tympanostomy tube insertion; Viscosity.