Description of an office technique for laser ventilation of the ears

Abstract

The author presents a description of a technique he developed called laser office ventilation of ears (LOVE). LOVE, an office-based procedure performed under local anesthesia, can provide intermediate-term ventilation for middle ear disease. This procedure has potential to change the standard of care for otitis media. Such changes might include a decrease in the need for antibiotics (and thus antibiotic resistance), a decrease in hearing loss associated with otitis media, and a decrease in the overall cost of treatment.