Release: Embargoed until September 24, 2000Contact: Jennifer Felsher202-371-4517 (9/23-27)703-519-1549[email protected]
LASER SURGERY IS PREFERRED TREATMENT FOR EAR INFECTIONS BY SOME PARENTS
Parents who are adverse to their child's receiving general anesthetic may choose this alternative
Washington, D.C. -- Research findings show that certain parents elect to have an in-office laser procedure for children with chronic ear infections. The study concludes that there is a substantial group of parents concerned with having their children placed under general anesthesia. Accordingly, Laser Office Ventilation of Ears with Insertion of Tubes (referred to as LOVE IT by the author) is an alternative to the more common procedure, myringotomy with insertion of pressure equalization tubes, which is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. However, the author cautions that the procedure should not be considered for use on children between the ages of three and six.
The author of the study, "Laser Office Ventilation of Ears with Insertion of Tubes" is Gordon J. Siegel, MD FACS, Clinical Instructor at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, IL. He will present the findings on Wednesday, September 27, at the Annual Meeting/Oto Expo of the American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery Foundation in the Washington, D.C. Convention Center.
Otitis media, which primarily affects children, is one of the most commonly diagnosed ailments in the United States. It has been estimated that over 25 million antibiotic prescriptions are written each year to combat the disease, a number that creates concern about antibiotic resistance. Likewise, subjecting a child to the general anesthetic necessary to perform a tube insertion is a source of great anxiety for parents.
The LOVE IT procedure is performed in a physician's office without general anesthetic. After applying a topical anesthetic, a laser is used to create a hole in the tympanic membrane, and a tube is then inserted into that hole. This action effectively drains the ear of excessive fluid build-up and provides for future ventilation.
Methodology: Data was obtained from two groups of patients, each containing 40 participants. Objective data was gleaned through chart review; subjective data was provided by written survey and personal communication.
Group 1 received the traditional treatment of myringotomy with insertion of pressure equalization tubes (M&T) in a hospital setting under general anesthesia. Group 2 received treatment with the LOVE IT procedure in the author's office.
The data evaluated included: patient/parent satisfaction, time and cost of procedure, time interval from diagnosis to treatment, complications and results. Twenty-nine surveys were returned from Group 1 and 35 from Group 2.
Results: Based on the data collected, overall patient/parent satisfaction was greater with the LOVE IT procedure. M&T required less time to perform; however, the time interval from diagnosis to treatment was less with the LOVE IT procedure. The total cost of LOVE IT was significantly less because there were no operating room or anesthesia fees. Complications for both procedures were minimal and comparable.
Conclusions: The author concludes that the LOVE IT procedure offers an alternative to traditional M&T for some parents. Although specific new skills must be diligently learned by the operating otolaryngologist in order to perform the procedure, LOVE IT offers an option to those parents who prefer that their young child not be given a general anesthetic. Having this option available at a generous savings may incite many parents, who would otherwise choose no treatment due to anxiety over the use of general anesthetic, to decide in favor of treatment rather than sustained antibiotic use.
-end-
NOTE: Dr. Siegel is moderator for the Miniseminar, "Great Debates in Otitis Media: Observation, Medication, Ventilation," being held on Wednesday, September 27, at 8 a.m., in the Washington, D.C. Convention Center
For additional information regarding this research study or an interview with the authors, contact Ken Satterfield or Jennifer Felsher at 202-371-4517 (9/23-9/27), or by e-mail at [email protected] and [email protected]
RSS