Executive Summary of Clinical Practice Guideline on Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update).

OBJECTIVE: This executive summary of the guideline update provides evidence-based recommendations for patient selection and surgical indications for managing tympanostomy tubes in children. The summary and guideline are intended for any clinician involved in managing children aged 6 months to 12 years with tympanostomy tubes or children being considered for tympanostomy tubes in any care setting as an intervention for otitis media of any type. The target audience includes specialists, primary care clinicians, and allied health professionals. PURPOSE: The purpose of this executive summary is to provide a succinct overview for clinicians of the key action statements (recommendations), summary tables, and patient decision aids from the update of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation's "Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update)." The new guideline updates recommendations in the prior guideline from 2013 and provides clinicians with trustworthy, evidence-based recommendations on patient selection and surgical indications for managing tympanostomy tubes in children. This summary is not intended to substitute for the full guideline, and clinicians are encouraged to read the full guideline before implementing the recommended actions. METHODS: The guideline on which this summary is based was developed using methods outlined in the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation's "Clinical Practice Guideline Development Manual, Third Edition: A Quality-Driven Approach for Translating Evidence Into Action," which were followed explicitly. The guideline update group represented the disciplines of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, otology, pediatrics, audiology, anesthesiology, family medicine, advanced practice nursing, speech-language pathology, and consumer advocacy. ACTION STATEMENTS: Strong recommendations were made for the following key action statements: (14) Clinicians should prescribe topical antibiotic ear drops only, without oral antibiotics, for children with uncomplicated acute tympanostomy tube otorrhea. (16) The surgeon or designee should examine the ears of a child within 3 months of tympanostomy tube insertion AND should educate families regarding the need for routine, periodic follow-up to examine the ears until the tubes extrude.Recommendations were made for the following key action statements: (1) Clinicians should not perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with a single episode of otitis media with effusion (OME) of less than 3 months' duration, from the date of onset (if known) or from the date of diagnosis (if onset is unknown). (2) Clinicians should obtain a hearing evaluation if OME persists for 3 months or longer OR prior to surgery when a child becomes a candidate for tympanostomy tube insertion. (3) Clinicians should offer bilateral tympanostomy tube insertion to children with bilateral OME for 3 months or longer AND documented hearing difficulties. (5) Clinicians should reevaluate, at 3- to 6-month intervals, children with chronic OME who do not receive tympanostomy tubes, until the effusion is no longer present, significant hearing loss is detected, or structural abnormalities of the tympanic membrane or middle ear are suspected. (6) Clinicians should not perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) who do not have middle ear effusion (MEE) in either ear at the time of assessment for tube candidacy. (7) Clinicians should offer bilateral tympanostomy tube insertion in children with recurrent AOM who have unilateral or bilateral MEE at the time of assessment for tube candidacy. (8) Clinicians should determine if a child with recurrent AOM or with OME of any duration is at increased risk for speech, language, or learning problems from otitis media because of baseline sensory, physical, cognitive, or behavioral factors. (10) The clinician should not place long-term tubes as initial surgery for children who meet criteria for tube insertion unless there is a specific reason based on an anticipated need for prolonged middle ear ventilation beyond that of a short-term tube. (12) In the perioperative period, clinicians should educate caregivers of children with tympanostomy tubes regarding the expected duration of tube function, recommended follow-up schedule, and detection of complications. (13) Clinicians should not routinely prescribe postoperative antibiotic ear drops after tympanostomy tube placement. (15) Clinicians should not encourage routine, prophylactic water precautions (use of earplugs or headbands, avoidance of swimming or water sports) for children with tympanostomy tubes.Options were offered from the following key action statements: (4) Clinicians may perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with unilateral or bilateral OME for 3 months or longer (chronic OME) AND symptoms that are likely attributable, all or in part, to OME that include, but are not limited to, balance (vestibular) problems, poor school performance, behavioral problems, ear discomfort, or reduced quality of life. (9) Clinicians may perform tympanostomy tube insertion in at-risk children with unilateral or bilateral OME that is likely to persist as reflected by a type B (flat) tympanogram or a documented effusion for 3 months or longer. (11) Clinicians may perform adenoidectomy as an adjunct to tympanostomy tube insertion for children with symptoms directly related to the adenoids (adenoid infection or nasal obstruction) OR in children aged 4 years or older to potentially reduce future incidence of recurrent otitis media or the need for repeat tube insertion.

Plain Language Summary: Tympanostomy (Ear) Tubes in Children.

This plain language summary explains tympanostomy tubes, also known as ear tubes, to patients and families. The summary applies to children aged 6 months to 12 years with tympanostomy tubes or children being considered for tympanostomy tubes. It is based on the "Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update)," published in 2022 as a major update to the original guideline from 2013. This plain language summary is written explicitly for consumers, patients, and families as a companion publication to the full guideline, which provides greater detail for health care providers. A primary purpose is to facilitate insight and understanding that foster shared decision making regarding ear tubes. Guidelines and their recommendations may not apply to every child, but they do identify best practices and quality improvement opportunities that can help you and your child benefit most from ear tubes.

Considerations in Management of Acute Otitis Media in the COVID-19 Era.

OBJECTIVES: To present the otologic findings of a patient with COVID-19 and complicated acute otitis media, evaluate for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in middle ear fluid, and assess whether suctioning of middle ear fluid may be aerosol- generating. METHODS: The case of a man with SARS-CoV-2 infection and complicated acute otitis media with facial paralysis is presented to illustrate unique clinical decisions made in context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cadaveric temporal bone was used to simulate droplet spread during suctioning of fluorescein-labelled middle ear fluid and visualized with a blue-light filter. RESULTS: A 23-year-old male who presented with complicated acute otitis media with facial paralysis was found to have an acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, with positive viral PCR of nasopharyngeal swab, and a negative PCR of the middle ear fluid. He was placed on isolation precautions and treated with myringotomy, topical and systemic antibiotics, and antivirals. Consistent with observations during endonasal suctioning, suctioning of middle ear fluid was not found to be aerosol or droplet generating. CONCLUSION: The case of a patient with active COVID-19 presenting with complicated acute otitis media in whom middle ear fluid was sampled to evaluate the etiology of the infection and the potential middle ear predilection of SARS-CoV-2 is described. This study has implications for the clinical management of patients with both known and unknown SARS-CoV-2 infection who present with ear disease. While middle ear suctioning may not be aerosol-generating, the risk of coughing or prolonged close contact requires heightened precautions during otologic procedures in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Specialists' adherence to guidelines on tympanostomy tube insertion.

INTRODUCTION: Tympanostomy tube insertion is very frequent in Denmark. Using electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) data, we investigated Danish ear, nose og throat (ENT) specialists' adherence to the 2015 national clinical guideline (NCG) on first-time tympanostomy tube (TT) insertion in children aged 0-5 years with otitis media (OM). METHODS: Data on children aged 0-5 years with OM undergoing first-time TT insertion were extracted from the Danish ENT Specialists Organisation (DØNHO) database. Pre-operative questionnaires were used to obtain information on symptom duration, and the number of acute OM (AOM) episodes was analysed. The following criteria were established to define NCG adherence: 1) A symptom duration of three months or longer, 2) three or more AOM episodes within six months and 3) four or more AOM episodes within 12 months. These criteria are in accordance with the NCG definition of chronic OM with effusion (COME) and recurrent AOM (RAOM). RESULTS: A total of 1,495 children were included in the study. In total, 91.0% of the parents reported a symptom duration of three months or more and/or RAOM within 6-12 months prior to TT insertion in accordance with the adherence criteria; 4.6% reported a symptom duration of less than three months with few or no episodes of AOM and did not meet the recommended TT insertion criteria. Finally, 4.4% of the parents were undecided with respect to symptom duration, number of AOM episodes or both at 6-12 months prior to TT insertion. CONCLUSIONS: Using solely ePRO data, we found that Danish practicing ENT specialists adhere to the 2015 NCG in regard to OM symptom duration and RAOM. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Validation of the Danish National Tympanostomy Tube Insertion Questionnaires.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the present study was to validate two questionnaires (the Danish National Tympanostomy Tube Insertion Questionnaires (DANTIQ)) intended for use by the DØNHO database in the investigation of the effect of tympanic tube (TT) insertion on ear-related symptoms and the adherence of ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists in Danish private practice to the Danish National Clinical Guideline on treatment of otitis media (OM) with TT insertion using electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) data. METHODS: The content validity of the questionnaires was assessed through discussion in a group of four active ENT specialists. Face and content validity analyses were conducted using data from semi-structured, single-person interviews with nine subjects. Reliability analysis was conducted as a three-day test/re-test study involving two groups of 117 individuals receiving and answering the same questionnaire twice. RESULTS: The overall face validity of both questionnaires was satisfactory. The reliability of the answers for both questionnaires was considered acceptable with a proportion of agreement ranging from 1.00 to 0.77. The correlation between first and second scores of the total number of symptoms reported in the test/re-test setup was acceptable with results ranging from 0.93 to 0.84. CONCLUSIONS: The DANTIQ are valid and reliable for measuring ear-related symptoms in children with OM undergoing TT insertion and for investigating Danish private ENT specialists' adherence to guidelines concerning TT insertion by use of ePRO data. FUNDING: non. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

The Swedish grommet register - Hearing results and adherence to guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: The insertion of grommets is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in children. The underlying reason might be otitis media with effusion (OME) with concomitant hearing loss, recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) or a combination of the two. Sweden has a national quality register for children receiving grommets with the purpose of evaluating how treatment guidelines are followed, and if surgery confers good quality health care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the circumstances during which Swedish children receive grommets and to examine how doctors follow the guidelines for grommet surgery. METHODS: Quality register data was extracted from 2010 to 2016, and information on reasons for surgery, audiometry, number of AOM episodes, type of grommet etc was analysed. RESULTS: The dominating reason for surgery was OME (71%). A large proportion (27%) of children with OME had not undergone a preoperative audiometry, despite national guidelines stating that it is hearing impairment that calls for surgery. Furthermore, among those who had done audiometry, 47% did not have a hearing impairment as measured by pure tone average. Nevertheless, a significant hearing improvement (11 dB, p < 0.001) was seen on post-operative follow-ups in those children who underwent audiometry. Forty-four percent of children operated due to rAOM had had fewer episodes of AOM than recommended as an indication for surgery, though this figure should be interpreted with caution as GP diagnosed episodes are not entered in the register. CONCLUSION: Even though grommet insertions are quick and confer a low per-operative risk, it seems many children undergo surgery without a clear indication. This puts them at an unnecessary risk of per-operative as well as long-term complications. Since the procedure is so common, it also means large sums of money are spent on operations that might not be necessary.

Appropriateness of Tympanostomy Tubes in the Boston Metropolitan Area: Are the AAO-HNSF Guidelines Being Met?

Introduction Otitis media (OM) is the most common reason children receive general anesthesia, with bilateral tympanostomy tube (TT) insertion the second most common surgery in children. Prior research suggests overuse of TT. As part of a project designed to improve appropriateness of OM referrals, we evaluated appropriateness of TT insertion in a patient cohort. Methods Patients younger than 9 years with initial otolaryngology (ORL) visits in academic and private office settings for OM from January 1, 2012, to August 31, 2013, were identified through claims database. A detailed retrospective chart review of patients undergoing TT insertion was performed to determine appropriateness of TT insertion per the 2013 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) guidelines. Results A total of 120 patients undergoing TT insertion were randomly chosen for detailed chart review; 32 patients were excluded. Sixty-six (75%) of 88 patients available for analysis met AAO-HNSF guidelines for TT. Recurrent acute OM with middle ear effusion was the most common indication (56%). Other indications included chronic OME and TT in at-risk patients with speech, learning, or behavioral delays. Of the 22 patients undergoing TT insertion not meeting AAO-HNSF guidelines, 11(50%) had abnormal exams, but were 1 to 2 infections short of meeting guidelines; 7 (33%) had normal exams but met criteria for number of infections. Discussion Contrary to prior publications, 75% of patients undergoing TT insertion had an appropriate indication per AAO-HNSF guidelines. In only 5% was TT insertion a substantial departure from guidelines. Implications for Practice The study outcomes suggest appropriate clinical decision making, improved guideline adherence, and better guideline applicability from the previously published 1994 and 2004 guidelines.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on the surgical management of otitis media with effusion: are they being followed and have they changed practice?

OBJECTIVE: UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on surgical management of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children call for an initial 3 month period of observation, with ventilation tube (VT) insertion considered for children with persistent bilateral OME with a hearing level in better ear of 25-30 dB HL or worse ("core criteria"), or for children not meeting those audiologic criteria but when OME has significant impact on developmental, social or educational status (exceptional circumstances). We aimed to establish whether guidelines are followed and whether they have changed clinical practice. METHODS: Retrospective case-notes review in five different centres, analysing practice in accordance with guidelines in all children having first VT insertion before (July-December 06) and after (July-December 08) guidelines introduction. RESULTS: Records of 319 children were studied, 173 before and 146 after guidelines introduction. There were no significant differences in practice according to guidelines before and after their introduction with respect to having 2 audiograms 3 months apart (57.8 vs. 54.8%), OME persisting at least 3 months (94.8 vs. 92.5%), or fulfilment of the 25 dB audiometric criteria (68.2 vs. 61.0%). Practice in accordance with the core criteria fell significantly from 43.9 to 32.2% (Chi squared p=0.032). However, if the exceptional cases were included there was no significant difference (85.5 vs. 87.0%), as the proportion of exceptional cases rose from 48.3 to 62.2% (Chi squared p=0.021). CONCLUSION: This study shows that 87.0% of children have VTs inserted in accordance with NICE guidelines providing exceptional cases are included, but only 32.2% comply with the core criteria. A significant number have surgery due to the invoking of exceptional criteria, suggesting that clinicians are personalising the treatment to each individual child.

A comparative study on efficiency of middle ear pressure equalization techniques in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare success rates of middle ear inflation device (Ear Popper (©)), Valsalva maneuver and Toynbee maneuver in middle ear pressure equalization in healthy adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult volunteers with otoscopically healthy ears were enrolled to the study. In a prospective setting, 60 ears of 35 volunteers were divided into two groups according to eustachian tube (ET) functions tested using the nine step inflation deflation test. Group A: good eustachian tube function at nine step inflation deflation test (30 ears), Group B: possible dysfunction of the ET at nine step inflation deflation test (30 ears). All the volunteers performed Valsalva maneuver, Toynbee maneuver and Ear Popper(©) application, respectively. The efficiencies of all the three techniques were statistically compared first overall, then paired-wise between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in success rates of middle ear pressure equalization techniques in 60 ears, regardless of ET function results (Valsalva and Toynbee maneuvers 51.7% effective, Ear Popper(©) 43.3% effective). There was also no statistical difference among the middle ear pressure shifts obtained by these three techniques. In almost half of the subjects in whom at least one technique was unsuccessful, the other two was effective. When the groups were separately compared; there was no significant difference between Valsalva and Toynbee maneuvers, whereas Ear Popper(©) was found more effective in Group A (56.7% vs. 30%, p=0.037). CONCLUSION: No statistical difference in equalization of the middle ear pressure was found among Valsalva maneuvers, Toynbee maneuvers and Ear Popper(©) in healthy adults under physiological conditions. Using alternative techniques may improve the success individually when a technique fails.

The simultaneous use of weighted logrank and weighted Kaplan-Meier statistics with clustered right-censored data.

Clustered right-censored data often arise from tumorigenicity experiments and clinical trials. For testing the equality of two survival functions, Jung and Jeong extended weighted logrank (WLR) tests to two independent samples of clustered right-censored data, while the weighted Kaplan-Meier (WKM) test can be derived from the work of O'Gorman and Akritas. The weight functions in both classes of tests (WLR and WKM) can be selected to be more sensitive to detect a certain alternative; however, since the exact alternative is unknown, it is difficult to specify the selected weights in advance. Since WLR is rank-based, it is not sensitive to the magnitude of the difference in survival times. Although WKM is constructed to be more sensitive to the magnitude of the difference in survival times, it is not sensitive to late hazard differences. Therefore, in order to combine the advantages of these two classes of tests, this paper developed a class of versatile tests based on simultaneously using WLR and WKM for two independent samples of clustered right-censored data. The comparative results from a simulation study are presented and the implementation of the versatile tests to two real data sets is illustrated.

Contemporary indications for ventilation tube placement.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the current indications for ventilation tube placement RECENT FINDINGS: In the past year, several studies have challenged the current guidelines for ventilation tube placement and antibiotic use for otitis media in children. Critics argue that some of these studies have poor scientific validity, yet these studies are being referenced, and sometimes misinterpreted, by the media. Fueled by these media reports, many concerned parents are now questioning otolaryngologists as to the efficacy and safety of ventilation tube placement. Whereas the indications for tube placement in children may be in a state of flux, the indications for tube placement in adults has (and is) fairly static. I will discuss the current published guidelines and the potential for changing trends in tube placement rates. I will also review the literature for the past year regarding postoperative management and adjuvant therapies. SUMMARY: Although there have been no radical changes in the indications for ventilation tube placement, recent studies have challenged the current clinical indicators and the ramifications of these studies may be more evident in the years to come.

Six Sigma tympanostomy tube insertion: achieving the highest safety levels during residency training.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a protocol designed to avoid complications during tympanostomy tube insertion by residents. DESIGN: Ten-year consecutive cases series by a single surgeon supervising residents. SETTING: Tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS: Children 6 weeks to 21 years. INTERVENTION: Residents followed a defined protocol for tube insertion. A resident operated until the tube was placed or he/she committed one major or two minor errors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of 1) major complications: profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), injury to major vascular structures, or disruption of the ossicular chain; and 2) minor complications: tube loss into the middle ear, tympanic membrane tears, or tube occlusion by blood clot. RESULTS: There were no major complications in 10,000 tube insertions. Two children had unilateral profound SNHL; both were found to have Mondini malformations. Five tubes were recovered from the middle ear. Eight tympanic membrane tears healed with gelatin patches. Three tubes were occluded by blood clots. CONCLUSION: By following a defined protocol, major complications of a common operation can be reduced to the five-sigma level and minor complications minimized.

Clinical diagnostic accuracy of otitis media with effusion in children, and significance of myringotomy: diagnostic or therapeutic?

The specific aims of this prospective survey were to determine the accuracy of traditional diagnostic tools, such as pneumatic otoscopy, otomicroscopy, and tympanometry, and evaluate the usefulness of myringotomy as a diagnostic method; also to determine the significance of myringotomy in treating otitis media with effusion (OME). The status of middle ear of 51 children (85 ears) from November 2002 to February 2003 was examined using pneumatic otoscopy, otomicroscopy, and tympanometry, and the presence/absence of middle ear effusion was confirmed by myringotomy. The otomicroscopy was the most sensitive and specific one among three diagnostic tools. But, it had some false positive cases. This study failed to show the therapeutic efficacy of myringotomy. Otomicroscopy seems to have the potential to become the standard for diagnosis of OME and for validation of pneumatic otoscopy in children. However, when otoscopic, otomicroscopic findings and tympanogram of suspected ear show poor correlation, myringotomy can be used to confirm the presence of OME, as the diagnostic modality. As the therapeutic modality, we think that it is proper to limit indications of myringotomy to some selected cases.

Clinical Diagnostic Accuracy of Otitis Media with Effusion in Children, and Significance of Myringotomy: Diagnostic or Therapeutic?

The specific aims of this prospective survey were to determine the accuracy of traditional diagnostic tools, such as pneumatic otoscopy, otomicroscopy, and tympanometry, and evaluate the usefulness of myringotomy as a diagnostic method; also to determine the significance of myringotomy in treating otitis media with effusion (OME). The status of middle ear of 51 children (85 ears) from November 2002 to February 2003 was examined using pneumatic otoscopy, otomicroscopy, and tympanometry, and the presence/absence of middle ear effusion was confirmed by myringotomy. The otomicroscopy was the most sensitive and specific one among three diagnostic tools. But, it had some false positive cases. This study failed to show the therapeutic efficacy of myringotomy. Otomicroscopy seems to have the potential to become the standard for diagnosis of OME and for validation of pneumatic otoscopy in children. However, when otoscopic, otomicroscopic findings and tympanogram of suspected ear show poor correlation, myringotomy can be used to confirm the presence of OME, as the diagnostic modality. As the therapeutic modality, we think that it is proper to limit indications of myringotomy to some selected cases.

Diagnostic accuracy of otitis media and tympanocentesis skills assessment among pediatricians.

The comparative study presented here evaluated pediatricians from Italy, Greece, South Africa, and a reference group in the USA to determine (i) their ability to accurately diagnose acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME) using otoscopy, (ii) their knowledge of antibiotics, and (iii) their technical competence in performing tympanocentesis. The participants included 66 pediatricians from Italy, 115 from Greece, 36 from South Africa and 2,190 from the USA (reference group). Each pediatrician viewed nine video-recorded otoscopic examinations of tympanic membranes, after which their ability to differentiate AOM, OME and normal was ascertained. Questions were posed regarding appropriate, pathogen-directed antibiotic selection for AOM. A mannequin model was used to assess the technical proficiency of each pediatrician in performing tympanocentesis. Results were recorded for each group as the mean percentage +/- standard deviation. The correct diagnosis was made by each group of pediatricians in the following frequencies: Italy, 54+/-27% (range, 18-94%); Greece, 36+/-12% (range, 23-56%); South Africa, 53+/-21% (range, 22-88%); and the USA, 51+/-11% (range, 29-72%). The difference between results from Greece and the US reference group was statistically significant ( P=0.002). Pediatricians from each group over-diagnosed AOM with the following frequencies: Italy, 18+/-19% (range, 2-49%); Greece, 34+/-13% (8-50%); South Africa, 23+/-14% (7-44%); and the US reference group, 26+/-19% (7-51%). Pediatricians correctly selected an antibiotic recommended for treatment of AOM caused by drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae as follows: Italy, 89%; Greece, 77%; South Africa, 82%; and the USA, 80%. For treatment of beta-lactamase-producing Haemophilus influenzae, the results were: Italy, 90%; Greece, 70%; South Africa, 81%; and the USA, 77%. Tympanocentesis was optimally performed by >/=86% of all pediatricians. The results indicate that pediatricians may often misdiagnose OME as AOM, but they select appropriate antibiotics about 80% of the time and can be trained to accurately perform tympanocentesis.

Follow-up management of children with tympanostomy tubes.

The follow-up care of children in whom tympanostomy tubes have been placed is shared by the pediatrician and the otolaryngologist. Guidelines are provided for routine follow-up evaluation, perioperative hearing assessment, and the identification of specific conditions and complications that warrant urgent otolaryngologic consultation. These guidelines have been developed by a consensus of expert opinions.

Minimum dataset for recording myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion.

A minimum dataset for recording of findings during myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion for cases of otitis media with effusion is presented. With increasing pressures on surgeons to audit existing practices and hence improve standards of health care, it is appropriate to produce such a set of guidelines for a surgery that is frequently performed world-wide. We believe that the data presented is not too exhaustive and can be readily incorporated into the operative notes.

Recurrent otitis media: a cost-utility analysis of simulated treatment using tympanostomy tubes vs antibiotic prophylaxis.

Using a cost-utility analysis, the effectiveness of tympanostomy tubes was compared to that of antibiotic chemoprophylaxis in young patients with recurrent otitis media. The tympanostomy approach (T-tubes) consisted of placement of a polyethylene grommet in the tympanic membrane, with systemic and local antibiotics administered for one week. The chemoprophylaxis approach consisted of antibiotics in full doses for seven to ten days, followed by continuous antibiotic chemoprophylaxis for six months. Because the T-tube strategy under the model assumptions was more expensive ($396.44 vs $281.30) and yielded slightly less benefit (net utility of .9325 vs. .9476 for initial antibiotic therapy), the chemoprophylaxis option was preferred. We conclude that the initial treatment for recurrent otitis media should consist of acute antibiotics followed by chemoprophylaxis, with T-tubes reserved for treatment failure. Extreme changes in the baseline probabilities of cure or recurrence with antibiotic therapy or in the cost of antibiotic therapy or tympanostomy surgery were required to alter this conclusion. Varying therapy preference (utility) values did not materially alter the conclusions.