소아에서 중이환기관의 유치기간에 영향을 미치는 인자

Background and Objectives: Premature extrusion of tympanostomy tubes continues to bother both doctor and patient. In spite of the previous studies, the mechanism of extrusion is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the factors influencing the extrusion. Materials and Method: We selected 78 children (124 ears) who underwent tympanostomy tube insertion from January 2001 to December 2002. Age, sex, previous adenotonsill- ectomy history, previous tympanostomy tube insertion history, type of impedence audiometry, site of insertion, incision method and contents of the middle ear were recorded as independent variables. The patients were observed every 1 month until the tube was extruded. Statistical analysis was performed with the extrusion rate as a dependent variable. Results: As the frequency of previous tympanostomy tube insertion was increased, the indwelling period of newly inserted tympanostomy tubes was significantly reduced. The total indwelling period of previously inserted tympanostomy tube was correlated with the indwelling period of newly inserted tympanostomy tubes. But there were no correlation nor difference with other variables. Conclusion: It is probable that repeated tympanostomy tube insertions lead to the change of the histology and physiology of tympanic memebrane and accelerate the extrusion rate of tympanostomy tubes. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2005;16:60–65)