Posterior vs. Anterior Tympanostomy Tube Placement (NCT06191562)
Randomized Clinical Trial of Post-operative Outcomes Following Posterior Versus Anterior Tympanostomy Tube Placement
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the results of ear tube placement in two different parts of the ear drum. The ear drum can be divided into four parts (called quadrants). Ear tubes are usually placed in one section of the ear drum, called the anterior-inferior quadrant. However, tubes can also be placed in another section, called the posterior-inferior quadrant. Ear tubes usually fall out of the ear drum on their own. In most patients, the hole in the ear drum where the tube used to be closes on its own. Sometimes (in about 2% of patients), the hole does not close on its own and might need surgery. We want to study ear tube placement in the posterior-inferior quadrant because surgery to repair a hole in the eardrum is easier in this location. For this study, children will receive an ear tube in the usual location (anterior-inferior quadrant) in one ear and the new location (posterior-inferior quadrant) in the other ear. Researchers will determine which ear has the new location using random assignment (like flipping a coin). Researchers will collect information about hearing tests, whether there is ear drainage (otorrhea), if the tube is blocked (occluded), and how the ear drum looks for up to 37 months after tube placement. Participants will answer study questions at 2-12 weeks and 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after surgery. These questions will ask about whether tubes have fallen out of the ear drum, whether there is a hole in the ear drum, whether there has been drainage from the ear or other ear symptoms, and whether there have been any visits to the doctor for ear problems. Researchers will use this information to compare ears with anterior-inferior tube placement and ears with posterior-inferior tube placement to see if there are differences in common complications following tube placement.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Age range: 6 Months to 14 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (2 Sites)
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh North — Sewickley, Pennsylvania
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
Explore by condition: All Otitis Media in Children clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.