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PubMed · 12172242

Opening plugged tympanostomy tubes.

John G Westine·Carla M Giannoni·Byron Gajewski·Patrick J Antonelli
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most effective solvents for dissolving plugged tympanostomy tubes. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro laboratory study. METHODS: Twelve solvents (including ototopical antibiotics and water) were applied to fluoroplastic tympanostomy tubes (n = 260) plugged with dried mucoid middle ear effusion in an ear canal-tympanic membrane model. Time to clearance of the tympanostomy tubes was both visually and tympanometrically determined. RESULTS: Vinegar (P =.0030) and hyaluronidase solutions (P =.0030) were significantly better solvents than water. CONCLUSION: Vinegar and hyaluronidase solutions are more likely to clear plugged tympanostomy tubes than water and ototopical antibiotics, but vinegar is the preferred solution because of its known relative safety for use in the ear.

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Equipment DesignMiddle Ear VentilationMucusOtitis Media with EffusionPostoperative ComplicationsSolventsComparative StudyJournal Article

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John G Westine, Carla M Giannoni, Byron Gajewski, Patrick J Antonelli. 2002. Opening plugged tympanostomy tubes.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005537-200208000-00004

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