Sarcouncil Journal of Internal Medicine and Public Health

Abstract: Background: Recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) is a common disease among children and, in most cases, causes hearing impairment, speech delays, and poor quality of life. Purpose & Method: The purpose of the study is to compare clinical, audiometric, and quality-of-life outcomes of TTI in children with RAOM, where a cross-sectional study was carried out among 112 pediatric patients receiving TTI due to RAOM. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (Success, n=74) and Group B (Recurrence, n=38). The data was gathered in the form of baseline demographics, pre-operative clinical history, surgical information, post-operative complications, audiometric findings, and long-term follow-up outcomes. Results: Group A showed much better outcomes, including the lower cases of AOM after the operation (0.6 vs. 3.0), the higher rates of AOM-free in 12 months (75.7% vs. 15.8%), and the higher Pure Tone Average (PTA) hearing thresholds (15.9 dB vs. 10.9 dB). Group B that involved recurrent otorrhea (15.8 vs. 4.1) and a significantly higher rate of reinsertion (42.1 vs. 8.1), had a higher incidence of complications. Recurrence risk factors included the increased frequency of AOM episodes in the pre-operative period, the use of failed antibiotic prophylaxis, or attendance at daycare. Conclusion: TTI is very useful in most children with RAOP, which leads to a considerable improvement in hearing and decreased infections. Nonetheless, some patients relapse, and this is more prevalent with increased disease burden pre-operatively and comorbidities.