Tympanic membrane patching with bandage contact lens after removal of ventilation T tubes

Objective: Early closure of the tympanic membrane, after removal of longsta nding ventilation T tubes (VTs), is a desirable outcome. A prospective rand omized control study was undertaken to determine if spontaneous healing of the tympanic membrane is promoted with a bandage contact lens (BCL). Method: Thirty-nine paediatric patients, who required removal of VTs under general anaesthesia, were selected. After removal of the ventilation tubes, one tympanic membrane was randomly selected for patching with a BCL, while the other underwent conservative management. Follow-up examination was per formed at 2 weeks. Remaining perforations of the tympanic membranes were no ted. The mean length of time VTs were present was 35.7 months. Results: Chi-square analysis reveals that a significantly greater proportio n of tympanic membranes patched with a BCL were healed at 2 weeks (p < .005 ). Conclusions: Thus, promotion of spontaneous healing with BCL may allow for decreased risk of infection, improved hearing, and earlier avoidance of pre cautions necessary for perforated tympanic membranes. Also, it is possible that promoting spontaneous healing at the early phase may decrease the numb er of persistent tympanic membrane perforations after VT removal.