Common agents used to unblock blood clots within tympanostomy tubes: an ex vivo study and review of literature.

Emily L Burke, Rohan R Walvekar, James Lin, Joseph Hagan, Evelyn A Kluka

Journal: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2010;73(12):1725-8

PMID: 19796828

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy of common solutions used to dissolve blood clots blocking tympanostomy tubes (TTs) of differing lengths and diameters.

STUDY DESIGN

An ex vivo experimental study.

METHODS

Ear models were built by the study investigator. Tympanostomy tubes were inserted into the models and blocked with blood clots. Test solutions were applied to the blood clots, and time for clearance was recorded via microscopic visual confirmation.

RESULTS

Richards T-tube had higher odds of unclogging than collar button tubes (odds ratio: 2.37, 95% confidence intervals 1.02-5.54, p=0.042). Vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide were most effective for Richards T-tubes and collar button tubes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Common solutions (vinegar and hydrogen peroxide) were more effective than antibiotic drops in clearing blood clot blocking TTs.

Address: Department of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2009.09.009

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MeSH Terms: Acetic Acid, Chi-Square Distribution, Humans, Hydrogen Peroxide, Middle Ear Ventilation, Models, Anatomic, Probability, Prosthesis Failure, Risk Assessment, Sensitivity and Specificity, Sodium Chloride, Therapeutic Irrigation, Thrombosis