Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-vsgnj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-16T09:57:57.420Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Complications of long-term ventilation tubes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 March 2013

H Mohammed  and
P Martinez-Devesa
H Mohammed*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Oxford, UK
P Martinez-Devesa
Affiliation:
ENT Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr H Mohammed, ENT Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK Fax: 01603 287211 E-mail: hmohammed@nhs.net
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

To demonstrate that ventilation tubes can remain in situ much longer than expected, and that the materials used in the manufacturing of these tubes can degrade and cause complications. Long-term follow up and replacement of the tube is recommended.

Method:

Case report and review of the literature concerning the use of long-term ventilation tubes.

Results:

In the case reported, the ventilation tube was in place for 19 years, which resulted in chronic ear discharge. When it was removed, it was noted that the tube itself had degraded and had caused a chronic inflammatory reaction.

Conclusion:

We recommend that the long-term use of ventilation tubes is followed up and that the tube is replaced before material degradation takes place.

Keywords

VentilationMiddle EarTympanostomyGrommet InsertionOtitis MediaComplications
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 5 , May 2013 , pp. 509 - 510
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Surgical management of otitis media with effusion in children. In: http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11928/39633/39633.pdf [06 March 2011]Google Scholar
2Mangat, KS, Morrison, GA, Ganniwalla, TM. T-tubes: a retrospective review of 1274 insertions over a 4-year period. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 1993;25:119–25CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Hern, JD, Hasnie, A, Shah, NS. A long-term review of the Shah Permavent tube. J Laryngol Otol 1995;109:277–80CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Abdullah, VA, Pringle, MB, Shah, NS. Use of the trimmed Shah permavent tube in the management of glue ear. J Laryngol Otol 1994;108:303–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Tahery, J, Saeed, SR. An easier way of inserting the Shah permavent grommet. J Laryngol Otol 2005;119:36–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Stickler, D. Urinary catheters: ideal sites for the development of biofilm communities. Microbiol Today 2005;32:22–5Google Scholar
7Stickler, D, Young, R, Jones, G, Sabbuba, N, Morris, N. Why are Foley catheters so vulnerable to encrustation and blockage by crystalline bacterial biofilm? Urol Res 2003;31:306–11Google ScholarPubMed
8Neu, TR, Van der Mei, HC, Busscher, HJ, Dijk, F, Verkerke, GJ. Biodeterioration of medical-grade silicone rubber used for voice prostheses: a SEM study. Biomaterials 1993;14:459–64CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Saidi, IS, Biedlingmaier, JF, Whelan, P. In vivo resistance to bacterial biofilm formation on tympanostomy tubes as a function of tube material. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:621–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Tatar, EC, Unal, FO, Tatar, I, Celik, HH, Gursel, B. Investigation of surface changes in different types of ventilation tubes using scanning electron microscopy and correlation of findings with clinical follow-up. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2006;70:411–17CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed