滲出性中耳炎に対する鼓室チューブ留置術の合併症

Complications of Tympanostomy Tube Insertion for Otitis Media with Effusion

I．はじめに

　滲出性中耳炎に対する鼓室チューブ留置術は現在広く行われてきている。イオントフォレーゼ麻酔の普及，外来処置用顕微鏡の導入などにより手軽に行えるようになってきたこともその理由の一つと思われる。当科では年間のべ約250耳に鼓室チューブ留置術を施行しているが，中には少数ながら鼓室チューブ留置術による合併症と考えられる症例がみられるので，ここに報告し若干の文献的考察を加えた。

　We reviewed 753 cases of myringotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion in 462 ears during a 3-year-period.

　As the complications, 14 cases showed persistent otorrhea. In four of these cases, otorrhea might be the result of infection through the auditory tube or due to myringostomy, but in the remaining ten cases, post-intubation discharge seemed occured as a result of mucous production from the diseased lining of the middle ear or mastoid. Other complications included chronic perforations in 9 cases, reduced hearing in 2 cases, granulation formation in 3 cases, cholesteatoma in 1 case, and a deep dimple in 1 case.

　In conclusion, tympanostomy tube insertion should not be performed indiscriminately, and the long-term follow-up of patients is necessary for the early detection of complications.