Tympanostomy or ear tubes did not lower the rate of acute otitis media, or middle-ear infections, among children, compared to antibiotics, according to research published May 13 in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The study involved 250 children between the ages of 6 months and 35 months who had at least three bouts of middle-ear infections within six months, or at least four infections within a year.
Researchers randomly assigned the children to either undergo tympanostomy-tube replacement, or receive antibiotics.
Across the two-year study, children who received the ear tubes had an average recurrent infection rate of about 1.5, compared to about 1.7 among those who were treated with antibiotics. There was also no significant difference in how severe recurrent infections were, findings showed.
"The rate of episodes of acute otitis media during a 2-year period was not significantly lower with tympanostomy-tube placement than with medical management," researchers concluded.
To view the full study, click here.