Triune Tube Outcomes

Abstract

Objectives:

(1) Determine complication rates of Triune tubes. (2) Compare complication rates of the Triune tubes with rates cited previously in the literature. (3) Compare complication rates of Triune tubes with T-tubes and grommet tubes.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted on myringotomy tubes placed from 2002 to 2011 by a single surgeon in a university hospital setting. Medical records were reviewed for the following data: type of myringotomy tube placed, duration of time the tube remained situated in the tympanic membrane, complications related to the tube placement (persistent tympanic membrane perforation, tube obstruction, granuloma formation, or reoperation), and procedures performed to remediate any encountered complications.

Results:

A total of 1216 tubes were placed in 565 patients (250 female). Average patient age was 6.8 years (range, 3.7 months to 95.6 years). The primary indication for myringotomy with tube placement was chronic serous otitis media (n = 1062, 87.2%). Other indications included recurrent acute otitis media (n = 12, 1.0%), removal and replacement of nonfunctioning tubes (n = 132, 10.8%), and barotrauma (n = 11, 0.9%). The indication was not specified for 1 tube (0.1%). During the study period, 459 (37.7%) of the tubes placed were Triune, 650 (53.5%) were T-tubes, 88 (7.2%) were grommets, and 19 (1.6%) were not specified. Overall, complications occurred in 96 (20.9%) Triune tubes, 134 (20.6%) T-tubes, and 9 (10.2%) grommet tubes. However, these differences were not statistically significant (chi-square 4.797; P = .187).

Conclusions:

Triune tubes are safe when myringotomy tube placement is indicated. Complication rates with Triune tubes are comparable with both grommet tubes and T-tubes.