Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update)
Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
Rosenfeld, R. M., Tunkel, D. E., et al. (2022).
Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery, 166(1 Suppl), S1-S55.
This updated guideline is intended to provide clinicians with recommendations regarding the candidacy and management of tympanostomy tubes in children aged 6 months to 12 years.
American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation
This guideline is an update of:<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #333333;">Rosenfeld, R. M., Schwartz, S. R.,et al. (2013). Clinical practice guideline: Tympanostomy tubes in children. Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery: Official Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 149(1 Suppl), S1–S35. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599813487302</span></li>
</ul>
"Clinicians should obtain a hearing evaluation if [otitis media with effusion] persists for 3 months or longer OR prior to surgery when a child becomes a candidate for tympanostomy tube insertion (p. S14; Recommendation, Grade C Evidence)."
"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 (p. S20, Recommendation, Grade C Evidence)
"Clinicians should determine if a child with recurrent [acute otitis media] 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 (p. S25; Recommendation, Grade C Evidence)."
