Surgical strategies for otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: As we enter the new millennium, Otitis Media remains the most common cause for an acute care visit to the pediatrician. This paper discusses the various surgical approaches to children who do not respond to medical management for acute otitis, recurrent acute otitis and for chronic otitis media. In addition to discussing the relevant alternatives of intervention, attention is directed to special populations of patients who are likely to demand a great deal of care, the problems that are encountered with typanostomy tubes and the concept of a new era of a "post-tympanostomy tube legacy."

CONCLUSION: Suggestions are offered as to how we can alter our approach to these patients requiring surgical intervention and thereby reduce long term sequelae.