Cholesteatomas Associated With Ventilation Tube Insertion

Abstract

Cholesteatoma formation associated with VT placement occurs in 1.1% of the ears that are operated on, and therefore it should be discussed with patients or parents prior to surgery. Periodic and long-term follow-up microscopic examinations of the eardrum should be performed in all patients following tubal extrusion or removal, especially in those at high risk for developing a secondary cholesteatoma, to detect this complication as early as possible.

Grommets in otitis media with effusion: the most frequent operation in children. But is it associated with significant complications?

“…Cholesteatoma formation following tube insertion occurs in approximately 1.1% of cases [24]. A higher incidence has been reported in children younger than 5 years, when Goode T-tubes are used, in cases with repeated tube insertion, with intubation exceeding 12 months and in cases with frequent post-operative otorrhea [24].…”

Iatrogenic cholesteatoma in children with OME in a training program

“…The indications for grommet tube insertion in children with OME include the association with speech and language development delay, educational problems at school or behavioral problems in addition to recurrent ear infection [2]. Golz et al (1999) revealed that the incidence of cholesteatoma formation associated with VT placement is as high as 1.1%.…”

“…McLelland [6] reported one case of cholesteatoma that occurred secondary to the tube insertion process in a study of 697 ears. In a review of 2829 children following VT insertion during 20 years, Golz et al [3] reported the incidence to be 1.1%. Other studies reported an incidence that ranged from 1.6 to 7% [7,8].…”

Tympanostomy Tube Placement for Otitis Media with Effusion in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate

“…Among the various types of complications, tympanosclerosis and otorrhea generally present transient but common sequelae following VTI [73,74], with other studies reported permanent perforations and cholesteatoma [73,75,76]. As for the occlusion of grommets, infection, and the presence of granulation tissue, the evidence was too limited and blurred to determine the direction of effects between VTI and adverse events in CLP children with OME.…”