Abstract:

 Objective   To investigate the medical efficacy of tympanostomy microtube placement in the treatment of middle ear atelectasis. Methods   32 cases (34ears) of middle ear atelectasis underwent tympanostomy microtube placement under general or local anesthesia. Operations and clinic data were all reviewed. Prior to the treatments, all patients presented fullness or pressure in the ear. Otoscope, hearing and tympanogram examination were perormed and follow-ups were 2 to 6 months after the operation. Results   All cases were operated successfully. Before the treatments,acoustic immittance tests showed type “C” tympanogram in all 34ears. After the treatment, the fullness disappeared in 30 ears and types “A” tympanograms were found in all the ears. The pure-tone average (PTA)of hearing thresholds were improved significantly with an aveage elevation at 5 to 15dB. No  complication, such as middle ear infection, tympanosclerosis, and  permanent perforation, was found. Conclusions   The placement of tympanostomy microtube, which is minimal invasive without myringotomy, proves to be a simple, effective way to treat middle ear atelectasis.

Key words:  Tympanostomy microtube placement； Middie ear atelectasis