What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective chart review of 45 patients who received bilateral tympanostomy tubes to facilitate hyperbaric oxygen therapy, documenting complications such as otorrhea, otalgia, hearing loss, persistent perforations, and tinnitus.
What They Found
Of the 45 patients, 17 (38%) experienced complications, with most having more than one. Otorrhea was the most common, occurring in 13 patients (29%), and persistent tympanic membrane perforations affected 7 patients (16%). This complication rate was higher than typically reported for tympanostomy tube placement in other patient populations.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients requiring tympanostomy tubes for hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be aware of a potentially higher risk of complications, such as ear discharge and persistent perforations. Discussions with their healthcare providers about alternative tube types or shorter intubation durations may be beneficial, especially if they have coexisting illnesses like diabetes.
Canadian Relevance
This study was conducted in a tertiary referral center in the United States and has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective chart review from a single tertiary center with a relatively small sample size, the findings may not be generalizable to all patient populations.