A rare complication of use of the middle ear ventilation tube (PVC).

Purulent otitis media was observed following operations for insertion of middle ear ventilation tubes by the same surgeon in 2.2% of 226 patients. Conservative treatment given with the tube still in situ rarely effected cure, whereas removal of the tube brought about prompt resolution and perforation closure, The cause of these infections remains unknown, but adverse reaction of the mucous membrane to polyvinylchloride could be regarded as a possible cause.