Management of chronic middle ear effusion.

Management of chronic middle ear effusion must center around the reestablishment of normal eustachian tube function. If fluid does not clear with medical management, aspiration becomes necessary. A prosthetic eustachian tube is placed in the tympanic membrane in order to artificially ventilate the middle ear space while primary etiologic factors are being corrected. Unless recurrent or chronic ear disease of this nature is diligently treated, progressive damage may bring about irreversible hearing loss and the potentially dangerous disease, cholesteatoma of the ear.