Contact diode laser myringotomy for medium-duration middle ear ventilation in children.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare contact diode laser for myringotomy (CDLM) to myringotomy with tube insertion (M&T) for the surgical management of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective randomized controlled study at a tertiary care pediatric institution. METHODS: Thirty children for whom PE tube insertion was indicated were randomized for treatment by CDLM or by M&T, in order to investigate length of time for middle ear ventilation, and complication rates. Surgical time was measured, post-operative parental questionnaires were reviewed, and follow-up examinations were performed. INTERVENTION: Middle ear ventilation by CDLM or M&T. RESULTS: Middle ear ventilation by CDLM took an average of 4.1min, and was maintained for an average of 3.5 months, compared to surgical time of 10.2min for M&T, and duration of middle ear ventilation of 6.3 months. These differences were statistically significant (p=0.005 for surgical time, and p<0.001 for duration of ventilation). Complication rates were equivalent. CONCLUSION: CDLM allowed for medium-duration middle ear ventilation in children compared to M&T. Further study to clarify the role of CDLM in the management of OME in children is indicated.