Therapeutic outcomes of tympanostomy tube insertion for otitis media with effusion: A retrospective cohort study

Tympanostomy tubes are commonly utilized for the treatment of otitis media with effusion (OME), yet the factors influencing treatment efficacy remain elusive. This study investigates the therapeutic outcomes of tympanostomy tube insertion (TTI) in the treatment of OME and identifies the risk factors associated with treatment effectiveness. This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients with OME who underwent successful TTI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2018 and January 2020, with a minimum follow-up period of 1 year. Patient medical records and follow-up data were collected. The study summarized the treatment outcomes across different patient cohorts and identified potential risk factors for OME recurrence. A total of 178 patients with OME who underwent TTI were included in the study, of which 156 were non-tumor patients. These non-tumor patients were categorized into a children's group (Group A; 47 cases) and an adult group (Group B; 109 cases). Additionally, 22 patients with a history of nasopharyngeal malignant tumors were included as Group C. During the 1-year follow-up, there were 10 relapses in Group A, 51 relapses in Group B, and all patients in Group C relapsed. Among non-tumor patients, the recurrence rate of OME was significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B following TTI. Furthermore, a duration of OME exceeding 1 year was identified as an independent risk factor for disease recurrence. Patients in Group C exhibited a significantly higher proportion of bilateral OME compared to Group B. Following TTI, pediatric patients have a lower recurrence rate of OME compared to adults. Additionally, OME lasting for more than 1 year may represent an independent risk factor for recurrence in non-tumor patients after TTI.