Evaluation of tympanostomy tubes in middle ear affections.

One hundred cases of Chronic Tubotympanitis with or without effusion were treated by myringolomy and Grommet insertion in the tympanic membrane. 60% cases presented with effusion and 40% with tubal catarrh. Hearing loss of conductive type 15-45dB was the main feature in all the cases. The effusion (serous, mucoid and mixed type) was drained in 84% of the cases. The recovery in the state of middle ear was evident in 80% cases showing return to normal tympanogram of type 'A' from type 'C' and type 'B' variety suggesting equalisation of middle ear pressure with the atmospheric pressure after the Grommet insertion. Excessive bleeding (12%), Permanent perforation (8%), worsening of hearing (8%) and extrusion of grommet (4%) were the only complication observed.