Opening Plugged Tympanostomy Tubes: Effect of Tube Composition

OBJECTIVE We sought to determine if tympanostomy tube (TT) composition impacts the rate of clearing mucoid plugs. DESIGN The study used an ex vivo model. METHODS TTs with a standard shaft length and inner diameter, varying only by composition materials, were studied. Thirty TTs of each biomaterial (stainless steel, titanium, silicone, fluoroplastic, ion‐bombarded silicone, and phosphorylcholine‐coated fluoroplastic) were plugged with middle‐ear mucus and placed in a model ear chamber. Ofloxacin otic solution was instilled into the chamber to cover the plugged TT. Time to clear each plug was recorded. RESULTS Ion‐bombarded silicone TTs cleared more rapidly than plain silicone TTs ( P =0.0042), but no other statistically significant difference among TT materials was observed. CONCLUSIONS TT composition does not significantly affect the rate or “ease”with which TTs may be opened after they become plugged with mucus ex vivo. The higher rate of plug clearance observed with ion‐bombarded silicone relative to untreated silicone suggests that improvements may be possible with alterations in either TT composition or surface preparations.