[Diagnosis and incidence of recurrence of chronic tubal secretory otitis media in childhood].

In a comparison of two groups of children undergoing adenoidectomy, the introduction of routine hearing tests revealed 30.8% more patients with secretory otitis media than in a control group in which tests were carried out only if profound hearing loss was suspected. The history and ear examination were insufficient for detection of secretory otitis media. Evaluation of patients not suspected of hearing loss revealed 24.5% more cases of secretory otitis media than by routine hearing tests. In 25.8% the secretory media recurred, requiring paracentesis or insertion of drainage tubes.