Grommet insertion: some basic questions answered.

A very large number of grommets are inserted to improve middle ear ventilation in children. A retrospective survey of 1011 admissions for myringotomy and/or grommet insertion has been used to answer some basic questions about such admissions and the fate of grommets inserted. No attempt has been made to assess the benefits of this mode of treatment. The average number of admissions per child was 1.6, with 64% being admitted only once. A child aged 3-4 years when first listed had the greatest chance of repeated admissions. Nearly 50% of the grommets had been extruded within 6 months and 80% within 1 year. Children put on the waiting list because of middle ear effusions present in summer months had a greater chance of spontaneous resolution in the subsequent few months than those listed in winter months. Significant complications occurred in 2.2% of grommet insertions.