Objective: To determine which factors are associated with persistence of the tympanic membrane (TM) perforation detected after a spontaneous extrusion or surgical removal of a ventilation tube (VT).
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent ventilation tube insertion from 1995 to 2003 at our institution. We identified 909 ears in which we could see the final state of TM and found 89 ears that fitted the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Various factors were analyzed to determine the factors associated with persistence of a TM perforation after VT extrusion or removal in 89 ears, including age at the time of tube extrusion or removal, sex, extubation pattern, intubation period, reason for VT insertion, history of previous VT insertions, condition of the TM when a perforation was detected, and previous adenoidectomy.
Results: Three factors were found to be statistically significant predictors of permanent perforation including age, extubation pattern and intubation period on univariate analysis. However, on multivariate analysis, extubation pattern, intubation period remained as statistically significant predictors.
Conclusions: Our data shows that factors affecting the permanent TM perforation after the spontaneous extrusion or surgical removal of VT include extubation pattern and intubation period.