Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media. Comparison of tympanostomy tubes and medication versus ventilation.

Experiences with tympanostomy tubes extending over a period of 29 years are compared with the computer-assisted analysis of a questionnaire that was submitted to 500 otolaryngologists. Ventilating tubes are being used by 99.4% of the respondents in the group and are estimated to achieve good to excellent results in 90% of patients treated. Appropriate use of tympanostomy tubes has significantly reduced the incidence of chronic ear disease. A comparison of prophylactic antibiotics and prophylactic ventilating tubes for the prevention of acute otitis media showed that 91% of the participants in the survey found ventilating tubes to be more effective than antibiotics. Benefits from ventilating tubes far outweigh the small number of tube-induced complications.