OTITIS MEDIA WITH EFFUSION

Key words: Otitis media, Effusion, Antibiotics, Steroids, Adenoidectomy, Tympanostomy tubes, Autoinflation

Otitis media with effusion (OME) has a high prevalence in school age children (15%) but in only 5% its duration is longer than a year. A systematic review shows that antibiotics are effective in reducing effusion but that their effect does not maintain over time. Similar results are shown for steroids alone or in association with antibiotics. Antihystamine drugs and mucolytics are not effective. Autoinflation is an effective option. Surgical treatment (tympanostomy tubes and adenoidectomy) can improve hearing function but do not seem to be capable of preventing language disorders.