Ventilation drainage – otitis media with effusion

Do zabiegu drenażu wentylacyjnego kwalifikuje laryngolog. W czasie wizyty kwalifikacyjnej lekarz zbierze wywiad, przeprowadzi badanie laryngologiczne ogólne oraz badanie endoskopowe nosogardła i tympanometryczne (badanie ciśnienia w uchu środkowym). Pomocne mogą być badania wykonane wcześniej, prosimy o ich zabranie.

An ENT specialist qualifies for the ventilation drainage procedure. During the qualifying visit, the doctor will conduct an interview, general laryngological examination and endoscopic nasopharyngeal and tympanometric examination (of pressure in the middle ear). Examinations made earlier may be helpful, please take them with you.
The middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx by means of the Eustachian tube, through which the enters the tympanic cavity. Otitis media with effusion is a condition caused by auditory tube dysfunction and consists in depositing dense secretions in the tympanic cavity.
Otitis media with effusion occurs most frequently in children with hypertrophy of the pharyngeal tonsil due to blockage of the Eustachian tube's outlet through the throat by the hypertrophied lymphatic tissue of the tonsil. Another cause may also be reflux disease in which mucosal edema occurs due to reduced pH. In adults, auditory tube disorders that lead to otitis media with effusion may be associated with changes at the base of the skull, occur imitatively following radiotherapy or co-occur with autoimmune diseases (e.g., Wegener's granulomatosis).
In otitis media with effusion, there is reversible conductive hearing loss. Untreated inflammation leads to formation of retraction pockets of the eardrum and is the starting point for cholesteatoma.

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The procedure of inserting a ventilatory drainage of the middle ear in children is performed under general anesthesia; in adults, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia. In children, additionally to drainage, adenoidectomy is usually done to unblock the throat outlet of the ear trumpet. Drainage consists of creating an incision on the eardrum and suction of the thick secretion lying in the tympanic cavity. Because the eardrum heals very quickly (a few days) and the ear trumpet requires a longer time to take up its function, it is necessary to insert a drain. Spool drains are installed for 6-9 months. After this period, the drain falls out of the eardrum spontaneously. T-drains are used when return of the ear trumpet function requires a longer time or is uncertain.
Hearing improvement occurs immediately after the procedure. The patient is usually discharged home on the day of the procedure. Laryngological examination is recommended on the first day after surgery.

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