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Until recently, insertion of tympanostomy tubes in children with fluid-filled ears was the second most common surgical procedure in the United States. The findings of a new long-term study, however, are challenging whether this procedure is actually beneficial or necessary. The purpose of the tympanostomy tubes is to drain the fluid left behind by an ear infection, and provide ventilation to prevent more fluid from amassing in the middle ear. The belief was that this lingering fluid hindered a child's ability to hear clearly, which could cause developmental obstacles, such as speech and behavioral problems.
This investigation included toddlers who either had fluid in one ear for 135 or more days, or in both ears for 90 days or more and did not respond to antibiotics. Half of the group had the ear tubes inserted immediately, while the other half waited 6 to 9 months, depending on whether one or both ears had fluid buildup. All children were evaluated 10 years later for literacy, attention span, socialization, and academics. Both groups of children scored equally well in these areas, regardless of whether they had the tubes inserted immediately or after 6 or 9 months.
Researchers did stress that these findings do not mean that this procedure is not necessary in severe cases. Furthermore, the study did not indicate what the long-term results would have been in cases of fluid blockage for 9 months or more. These results, in conjunction with other results, do encourage children's healthcare providers to use the "wait and see" approach with fluid accumulation in the ears, since no developmental delays were seen in otherwise normal and healthy children.