Transnasal Eustachian Tuboplasty to Treat Patulous Eustachian Tube

By June 7, 2019

Huang, Huie1,2; Tu, Xiang Dong3; Zhan, Jian Dong1; Cui,Yong1
1 Department of Ottorhinolaryngology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, China;
2 Shantou University of Medical School, Shantou, China;
3 Shenzhen Shekou People’s Hospital, Shekou, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China.

Introduction
To evaluate the efficacy of eustachian tuboplasty in patients with patulous eustachian tube (PET)

Methods
Study Design: Retrospective case review
Setting : Tertiary referral center
Patients:21 patients with medically refractory PET complaint of 1or more years had been confirmed continuous patulous ET symptoms
Interventions : The procedures were performed using an endoscopic transnasal approach. The junction of the lateral and medial lamella was split and trimmed septal or auricle cartilage were implanted in the pocket made laterally to the lateral lamella.

Discussion:
­—Main Outcome: Autophony symptoms were scored as: 1) complete relief; 2) significant improvement, satisfied; 3) significant improvement, dissatisfied; 4) unchanged; or worse.
Results: Transnasal Eustachian tuboplasty was performed in a total of 22 sides in 21 patients. All patients were followed up more than two years. Within the first postoperative year, 10 sides had complete relief (45.46%); 8 sides had significant improvement and satisfied (36.36%); 2 sides had improvement but dissatisfied (9.09%); 2 sides had unchanged(9.09%). Within the second postoperative year, 7 sides had complete relief (31.82%); 3 sides had significant improvement and satisfied(13.64%); 9 sides had improvement but dissatisfied(40.90%);2 sides had  unchanged  (13.64%).

Conclusion
The eustachian tuboplasty provides an accessible surgical option for the treatment of PET. Long-term (2 years) effects of eustachian tuboplasty are worse than short-term (1 year) effects. Further studies are needed to investigate how can improve patients’long-term effects.