Myringotomy: a neglected office procedure.

An office myringotomy is an easily performed, underused procedure which has definite clinical applications. The family physician should become familiar with the technique, its indications and its complications. Indications include otitis media with concomitant meningitis, with matoiditis or with cranial nerve involvement, and otitis media in an immunocompromised patient, in a neonate with signs of sepsis or in a very sick, toxic child. If the incision is made in the lower portion of the tympanic membrane, complications are rare.