Our Summary

This research is a scientific study on a common ear disease called Otitis media with effusion (OME), which typically causes a feeling of fullness and hearing loss. The disease is primarily caused by a problem with the eustachian tube, a small tube that connects your throat to your middle ear. The traditional treatment involves a surgical procedure called tympanostomy tube insertion (TTI), but this doesn’t always cure the disease and it can often come back.

A newer procedure called balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty (BDET) seems promising in treating the disease more effectively, but it’s not widely used yet and we need more high-quality research to prove its long-term effectiveness and safety.

This study is designed to test the effectiveness of using both TTI and BDET treatments together in patients with OME. The researchers will monitor 124 patients, half of whom will receive the traditional treatment (TTI) and the other half will receive both treatments (TTI and BDET). They will check on the patients several times over a two-year period after surgery.

The main goal of the study is to see how well the eustachian tube is working after treatment, which will be measured with a questionnaire and a scoring system. They will also monitor how well the middle ear is working, the patients’ hearing, and their quality of life.

This is the first study of this kind in China, and the researchers hope it will help to lower the recurrence rate of OME and perhaps lead to a complete cure for the disease. They plan to continue their research in the future to build on their findings.

FAQs

  1. What is Otitis media with effusion (OME) and what are its typical symptoms?
  2. What are the traditional and newer treatments for OME, and how do they differ?
  3. What are the researchers of this study hoping to achieve by combining the traditional and newer treatments for OME?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about ear tube surgery is to follow all post-operative care instructions carefully. This may include keeping the ears dry, avoiding getting water in the ears, and attending follow-up appointments with the doctor to monitor progress. It’s important to communicate any changes or concerns with the doctor to ensure the best possible outcome.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for ear tube surgery include those with chronic Otitis media with effusion (OME) that does not improve with traditional treatments such as antibiotics or nasal decongestants. These patients may experience symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, hearing loss, balance issues, and speech or language delays. Children are more commonly recommended for ear tube surgery, but adults with persistent OME may also be candidates for the procedure.

Timeline

Before ear tube surgery:

  • Patient may experience symptoms of Otitis media with effusion (OME) such as feeling of fullness in the ear and hearing loss
  • Patient may try conservative treatments such as antibiotics or decongestants
  • If symptoms persist, patient may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist
  • ENT specialist will conduct a thorough examination and recommend ear tube surgery (tympanostomy tube insertion)

After ear tube surgery:

  • Patient undergoes tympanostomy tube insertion procedure
  • Patient may experience temporary discomfort or ear drainage after surgery
  • Patient will have follow-up appointments with the ENT specialist to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment
  • In some cases, OME may recur even after surgery
  • Patient may undergo additional procedures such as balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty (BDET) to further treat the disease
  • Researchers monitor patient outcomes over a two-year period to assess the effectiveness of using both TTI and BDET treatments together in patients with OME
  • Researchers measure the functionality of the eustachian tube, middle ear, hearing, and quality of life to evaluate the success of the combined treatments
  • Study results will help inform future treatment options for patients with OME and potentially lower the recurrence rate of the disease.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about ear tube surgery include:

  1. What are the risks and benefits of ear tube surgery for treating Otitis media with effusion (OME)?
  2. How long does the procedure typically take and what is the recovery process like?
  3. Will I need to take any special precautions or follow any specific guidelines after the surgery?
  4. How effective is ear tube surgery in treating OME compared to other treatment options?
  5. Are there any potential complications or side effects associated with ear tube surgery?
  6. Will I need to have the ear tubes removed at some point, and if so, how is that procedure typically done?
  7. What is the success rate of ear tube surgery in preventing the recurrence of OME?
  8. Are there any lifestyle changes or habits I should consider to help prevent OME from returning after surgery?
  9. How frequently will I need to follow up with my doctor after the surgery, and what will those appointments entail?
  10. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that I should consider before deciding on ear tube surgery?

Reference

Authors: Wu P, Cao X, Zhang R, Liu Y, Li H, Wang W, Li W. Journal: Trials. 2024 Aug 29;25(1):572. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-08405-1. PMID: 39210408