VENTILATION TUBES:
INTRODUCTION 1
| Description |
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In 1954 Beverly Armstrong introduced "a new treatment for chronic secretory otitis media."
This first artificial Eustachian ventilation tube was a vinyl tube with an inner diameter of 1.5 mm which was inserted into the middle ear through the myringotomy incision.
The goal of this technique is to provide continuous ventilation of the middle ear in order to allow its mucosa to return to normal. The tube also prevents the myringotomy incision from closing prematurely, permitting the drainage of fluid (either the effusion or purulent secretions from a subsequent attack of otitis media) into the external canal. |
