COMPLICATIONS OF TYMPANOSTOMY TUBES INSERTED FOR FACILITATION OF HYPERBARIC-OXYGEN THERAPY

Objective: To document the incidence of complications occurring second ary to placement of tympanostomy tubes in patients undergoing hyperbar ic oxygen therapy. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Tertia ry referral center. Patients: Forty-five patients referred to the Depa rtment of Otolaryngology for inability to tolerate hyperbaric oxygen t herapy between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 1995. Interventions: All patients underwent bilateral myringotomy and tube placement. Outco me Measures: Charts were reviewed for complications of tube placement, including otorrhea, otalgia, hearing loss, persistent perforations, a nd tinnitus. Results: Seventeen (38%) of 45 patients experienced compl ications, with most having more than 1. Most complications occurred af ter conclusion of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Otorrhea was most common, occurring in 13 patients (29%). Persistent tympanic membrane perforat ions occurred in 7 patients (16%). Conclusions: The rate of complicati ons is higher than reported for placement of tympanostomy tubs in othe r patient populations. Coexisting illness, such as diabetes mellitus, may contribute to the development of complications in patients undergo ing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Alternative methods of tympanostomy, wi th emphasis on shorter duration of intubation, should be considered in this patient population.