Comparison of extrusion and patency of silicon versus thermoplastic elastomer tympanostomy tubes.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the differences in the extrusion rate, patency and incidence of otorrhea according to the material properties of tubes in tympanostomy tube (TT) procedures.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 75 children with bilateral chronic otitis media with effusion were randomized in this prospective trial to receive 1.02-mm-sized TTs (thermoplastic elastomer) in one ear and 1.14-mm-sized TTs (silicone) in the other ear. Data were obtained on ventilation tube type, time to extrusion, comorbidities, tube plugging, incidence of TT otorrhea during following up, and age of the patient. Postoperatively, follow-up by an otologist continued every two months to assess the incidence of otorrhea, plugging, and TT extrusion until all tubes were extruded.

RESULTS

Out of the 75 children, 7 patients were excluded during surgery and 4 were lost during follow-up. The mean extrusion time of 1.02-mm-sized TTs (thermoplastic elastomer) was 10.28 months, whereas that of 1.14-mm-sized TTs (silicone) was 7.36 months, which showed a significant difference. However, thermoplastic elastomer TTs had more plugging events than silicone TTs.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant increase in the time to extrusion in ears with the 1.02-mm-sized thermoplastic elastomer TT, although, generally, the larger inner diameter of the tube last longer in the eardrum. This contrasting result is thought to be due to the different material properties of both TTs. This information may be helpful for TT selection in clinical practice depending on the patient's condition.