Background: : Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a prevalent
condition among children. International guideline emphasises
using of ventilation tubes (VTs) as a standard treatment for
persistent OME. VTs differ in their features. Comparative studies
assessed the impact of VTs variables on treatment outcomes.
Aim: To investigate the influence of VTs weight and shaft length
on treatment outcomes in pediatric patients with OME. Patients
and methods: A retrospective study included 318 children < 18
years who underwent VT insertion for treatment of OME from
March 2020 to March 2023. Children categorized into two
groups: Group A (grommet tubes) and Group B (T-tubes). Each
group was divided into two subgroups based on VT weight (and
shaft length in group B): A1 (heavier tubes), A2 (lighter), B1
(heavier T-tubes with longer shafts), and B2 (lighter, shorter
shafts). We analyzed the relationship between tube weight (and
shaft length in group B) and the rates of complications in each
main group separately. Results: The study included 572 ears.
Group A had 310 ears (A1: 174, A2: 136), B had 262 ears (B1:
148, B2: 114). The weight of each tube was 0.013 grams in A1
and 0.011 grams in A2, 0.026 grams in B1, and 0.017 grams in
B2. B1 had more residual perforations (17.6%) than B2 (5.3%).
Conclusions: Heavier and longer-shaft T-tubes were associated
with higher residual perforation rates. This previously
overlooked factor should guide the manufacture and use of
lighter and potentially shorter T-tubes