OBJECTIVES: To fabricate a single instrument that can be used to perform myringotomy and insert a pressure equalizing tube at almost the same time.

METHODS
Design: Surgical Instrumentation

Setting: Tertiary Private Hospital

Subject: A chicken egg membrane was used as a tympanic membrane model

RESULTS: The fabricated instrument was able to perforate the egg membrane and apply the modified polyethylene pressure equalizing tube in less than one minute without complications.

CONCLUSION: The prototype applicator can facilitate myringotomy and pressure equalizing (PE) tube insertion at only a fraction of the time it usually takes to do the standard myringotomy and subsequent ventilating tube insertion.

Otitis Media with Effusion