This ventilation tube offers advantages during insertion and for postoperative inspection. Easily introduced with alligator forceps, the grommet will pass through a very small speculum. The elongated flanges and length of the tube help to prevent premature extrusion. The 45 deg bevel on the flange approximates the angle of the tympanic membrane, allowing the physician to see straight through the lumen. Such problems as fluid reoccurrence and plugging of the lumen are easily recognized and corrected. The good visibility also makes postoperative evaluation of middle ear aeration much easier.
