Lens tube vs Donaldson tube: results of a prospective study comparing a new with a conventional ventilation tube.

A prospective study was undertaken in 72 children comparing a new type of tympanostomy tube, the Lens tube, in one ear, and a Donaldson tube in the contra-lateral ear as a control. The average survival times of the tubes differed significantly: 17.20 months for the Lens tube, and 11.31 months for the Donaldson tube (P < 0.001). By contrast, the relapse rate (22% with the Lens tube vs 21% with the Donaldson tube) after extrusion or extraction, and the residual perforation rate (3% with the Lens tube vs 6% with the Donaldson tube) were not significantly different. Otorrhea was not significantly different either: 25% with the Lens tube vs 16% with the Donaldson tube.