Advantages of subannular tube vs repetitive transtympanic tube technique

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the efficiency of the subannular T-tube (SAT) vs that of the repetitive transtympanic Duravent tube (TTT) in children with recurrent or chronic otitis media (OM) with effusion or tympanic membrane retraction and to establish which population would be more likely to benefit from TTTs vs SATs. Design: Medical record review. Setting: Tertiary care pediatric center. Patients: Children receiving an SAT (234 in 160 patients) or at least 2 TTTs (216 in 111 patients) between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2006, to allow at least 4 years of follow-up from that period until 2010. Main Outcome Measures: Average tube duration and complication rates. Results: The tubes remained in place for a median of 35 months with SAT and 7 months with TTT (P