Tympanostomy tubes: types, indications, techniques, and complications.

This article reviews current concepts and applications involving tympanostomy tubes. The various types of tympanostomy tubes, indications, complications, and techniques are discussed. Applications ranging from otitis media to dysfunction of the eustachian tube associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma are included. Experience drawn from patient care and currently published studies support the conclusions made in this article.