Objective To analyze the relationship between the indwelling time of the ventilation tube and the curative effect after tympanectomy for secretory otitis media (SOM) in children, and to analyze the risk factors of early exfoliation after eardrum catheterization in children with SOM. Methods It was retrospectively analyzed for the clinical diagnosis, treatment and follow-up data of 115 cases (183 ears) with tympanic membrane catheterization. Results The 115 children(183 ears) underwent tympanic membrane intubation at the average age of (4.68±2.54) years old, and the majority (86.57%) at 3.5 to 7 years old. The indwelling time of ventilation tube in 183 ears after operation was 3 to 18 months, and the average indwelling time was (9.43±3.82) months, the average time of tracheal indwelling in 126 cured ears was (11.82±3.11) months, and that in 57 untreated ears was (9.13±3.21) months. The difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.01).The recovery rate of patients with retention time<6 months was 51.92%, and that of patients with retention time ≥ 6 months was 75.57%. There was statistically a difference between them (P<0.05). These single factors, such as significant collapse or thinning of the tympanic membrane, obstruction of the ventilation tube, postoperative middle ear infection, and early postoperative activity were associated with the early fall of the ventilation tube after tympanic membrane intubation (P<0.05) by single-factor chi-square analysis; Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that intraoperative severe collapse or a thin tympanic membrane, postoperation blockage of ventilation tube, middle ear infection, delayed re-examination and early strong activity were independent risk factors for early fall of ventilation tube after tympanic membrane intubation in children (P<0.05). Conclusions After tympanic membrane intubation, the ventilation tube was prematurely removed or removed, which could affect the cure rate of SOM children. Severe collapse or a thin tympanic membrane, postoperation blockage of the ventilation tube, middle ear infection, delayed re-examination, and early strong activity are the main risk factors, which should be paid attention to clinically.