Management of Pars tensa Retraction Pockets with Grommet Insertion and Conservative Management- A Comparative Study

Pars tensa retraction pockets (PTRPs) are common findings in patients with chronic otitis media, often leading to conductive hearing loss and recurrent ear infections. Management strategies for PTRPs include surgical interventions like grommet insertion and conservative approaches such as observation and regular follow-up. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of grommet insertion as surgical management for retraction pockets over medical management and to see whether the retraction pockets, if treated early can reverse and prevent the further progress of the disease. A retrospective comparative study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PTRPs. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent grommet insertion (Group 1) and those managed conservatively with observation and regular follow-up (Group 2). Audiological assessments and rates of ear infections were compared between the two groups over a follow-up period of 6 months. A total of 50 patients were included in the study, with 25 patients in each group. The average age was 35 years (range: 10-60years). Patients in Group A demonstrated a significant improvement in hearing thresholds post-grommet insertion compared to Group B (p < 0.05). Moreover, the recurrence rate of ear infections was lower in Group A compared to Group B (p < 0.05). Grommet insertion appears to be an effective treatment modality for managing PTRPs, resulting in improved hearing outcomes and reduced recurrence rates of ear infections compared to conservative management. However, further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate these findings and determine long-term outcomes.