Page 118 - Portuguese Journal - SPORL - Vol 61. Nº1
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10q, 17q12, FBXO11 polymorphism), day care and December 2020 (N=52) were re-evaluated
attendance, and use of pacifier. Breastfeeding during the second lockdown in Portugal in
is considered a protective factor. 2 March 2021. The period in 2020 was selected
The consequences of this entity are not just because it was immediately after the lockdown
limited to the clinical and therapeutic context, when the children were not in isolation. The
but also have an impact on the children’s last four-month period of 2019 was chosen
quality of life, development, and learning, as because it was just before the start of the
well as financial costs. 3 COVID-19 pandemic and corresponded to the
The diagnosis is based on a type B period in 2020. Thus, the patients underwent
tympanogram and otoscopic evidence of the diagnostic assessment and were put on the
disease. The most agreed upon treatment waiting list for surgery at the same time of the
2
is myringotomy with tympanostomy tube year and were re-evaluated during lockdown.
insertion, which is the most frequently Thirty of the 52 recruited patients showed
performed surgical procedure in up for consultation and seven of these had
otorhinolaryngology. This procedure aims to already been operated on through the surgery-
drain the mucus and oxygenate the middle voucher under the program of the Integrated
ear. The guidelines of the American Academy System of Surgery Applicants Management
1
of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery for (Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Inscritos
the insertion of tympanostomy tubes were para Cirurgia - SIGIC).
updated in 2022. These guidelines provide a The exclusion criteria were as follows: aged
reference for the clinical management of OME 18 years or more, prematurity, low birth
in children. However, these guidelines do not weight, Down syndrome, cleft palate and
2
address issues such as isolation and school other craniofacial anomalies, and children
non-attendance. 2,4 who continued to attend school. Thus, two
In 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic children were excluded because they were
in Portugal, the first lockdown was imposed the daughters of healthcare professionals and
from March to May 2020 and with a new surge continued to attend school.
in cases, a second one occurred from January Data from the remaining 21 patients
to March 2021. were collected during the re-evaluation
The objective of this study was to assess the consultation, including complete clinical
role of social isolation due to the COVID-19 history, complete objective examination with
pandemic in the natural history of OME bilateral otoscopy, tympanometry, and review
in pediatric patients on the waiting list for of the electronic clinical records.
surgery (myringotomy with tympanostomy The patients were evaluated for the following
tube insertion and adenoidectomy) at the variables: we asked the parents if they thought
Beatriz Ângelo Hospital. the symptoms had improved, worsened,
or stabilized (delayed speech, hypoacusis,
Materials and Methods otalgia, otorrhea, nasal congestion); frequency
This was an observational retrospective study of acute otitis media (AOM); on otoscopy ,
in which the waiting list for surgery at the OME was considered if there was retraction,
department of Otorhinolaryngology and opacity, or perforation of the tympanic
Head and Neck Surgery of the Beatriz Ângelo membrane; hydroaeric levels, horizontalization,
Hospital was reviewed. The pediatric patients or hypervascularization of the handle of the
who were selected for bilateral myringotomy malleus; blue ear drum; hypervascularization
with tympanostomy tube insertion and of the tympanic annulus; and tympanometry
adenoidectomy (performed by different (type A, B, or C). These variables were
surgeons) for OME between September and then compared with the results that led
December 2019, and between September to the surgical indication. All evaluations
118 Portuguese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
