Background: Otitis media with effusion is a frequent problem encountered in patients with craniofacial anomalies (i.e., cleft
lip/palate). Tympanostomy with ventilation tube insertion is the treatment of choice in cases with effusion greater than 3
months or evidence of delayed speech and language development. In such cases, the middle ear ventilation tube needs to remain in the middle ear until the Eustachian tube has gained normal function. In the current study, we designed a new ventilation tube that would remain in the middle ear longer than the standard tube.
Objective: Our aim was to assess the retention duration, ventilation, and audiological function when using the new middle ear ventilation tube for otitis media with effusion.
Materials and Methods: Patients with otitis media with effusion who need a middle ear ventilation tube were recruited. In the control group, the standard ventilation tube was used while in the experimental group the new ventilation tube was used. The retention duration, types of tympanogram, hearing level, and complications data were collected.
Results: Fourteen males and six females between 29 to 60 years of age were enrolled in the present study. The respective average retention time of the ventilation tube in experimental and control group was 7 months and 4.6 months (p = 0.052). During follow-up, 9/10 tubes (90%) in the experimental group were functional vs. 6/10 in the control group (60%). The mean A-B gaps before tube insertion and at the last follow-up were better in the experimental group (p = 0.062).
Conclusions: The new extended medium-term middle ear ventilation tube can be used to treat otitis media with effusion in patients needing a longer retention period.

Keywords: Ventilation tube, Tympanostomy tube, Otitis media, Otitis media with effusion, Cleft palate