Our Summary

This research paper is about a study that was done on a treatment called Endonasal Balloon Dilatation of the Eustachian Tube (BET) for children who have a chronic blockage in their Eustachian tubes (the tubes that connect the middle ear to the back of the throat). The study looked at the results of 52 children who had this treatment between April 2011 and April 2016.

The children in the study had problems like fluid in the middle ear, sticky ear, chronic ear infections, or recurring ear infections. Some of them had the BET treatment along with other treatments like a paracentesis (a procedure to remove fluid from the ear), a tympanoplasty (a surgery to repair the eardrum), or with grommets (small tubes that are put into the eardrum to help drain fluid).

The results of the study showed that the BET treatment helped improve symptoms like ear pressure, hearing loss, pain, and limitations in daily life. The children were also more satisfied with their ability to handle recurring inflammations. These results were supported by better outcomes in tests that measure the function of the Eustachian tubes and the middle ear.

The study concludes that BET is a safe, effective, and promising treatment for children with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction, especially when other treatments have failed.

FAQs

  1. What is Endonasal Balloon Dilatation of the Eustachian Tube (BET) treatment?
  2. What other treatments were used along with BET in the study?
  3. What were the results of the study on BET treatment for children with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about ear tube surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully. This may include keeping the ears dry, avoiding water activities for a certain period of time, and using ear drops as prescribed. It’s important to attend follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and to address any concerns. By following these instructions, patients can help ensure a successful outcome and minimize the risk of complications.

Suitable For

In general, patients who are recommended ear tube surgery typically have chronic ear infections, fluid in the middle ear, or other issues related to Eustachian tube dysfunction. This may include children who have recurring ear infections, sticky ear, or hearing loss due to fluid buildup in the middle ear.

Children who have tried other treatments for their ear issues without success may also be recommended for ear tube surgery. This could include treatments like antibiotics, ear drops, or other procedures to drain fluid from the ear.

Ultimately, the decision to recommend ear tube surgery will depend on the specific circumstances of each individual patient and their unique ear issues. It is important for patients to consult with their healthcare provider to determine if ear tube surgery is the right option for them.

Timeline

Before ear tube surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms like fluid in the middle ear, sticky ear, chronic ear infections, or recurring ear infections.
  2. Patient may undergo other treatments like paracentesis, tympanoplasty, or grommets.
  3. Patient may experience symptoms like ear pressure, hearing loss, pain, and limitations in daily life.

After ear tube surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes Endonasal Balloon Dilatation of the Eustachian Tube (BET) treatment.
  2. Symptoms like ear pressure, hearing loss, pain, and limitations in daily life improve.
  3. Patient is more satisfied with their ability to handle recurring inflammations.
  4. Better outcomes in tests that measure the function of the Eustachian tubes and the middle ear are seen.
  5. BET is considered a safe, effective, and promising treatment for children with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction, especially when other treatments have failed.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about ear tube surgery include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with ear tube surgery?
  2. How long will the ear tubes typically stay in place before they need to be removed?
  3. Will my child need to undergo general anesthesia for the surgery?
  4. How will the surgery impact my child’s hearing and overall ear health?
  5. Are there any restrictions or precautions my child should follow after the surgery?
  6. How soon after the surgery will my child be able to resume normal activities, such as swimming or flying?
  7. What follow-up care or appointments will be needed after the surgery?
  8. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that could be considered before opting for ear tube surgery?
  9. How successful is ear tube surgery in treating chronic ear infections or fluid in the middle ear?
  10. What is the likelihood of the ear tubes needing to be replaced in the future?

Reference

Authors: Leichtle A, Hollfelder D, Wollenberg B, Bruchhage KL. Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2017 Jun;274(6):2411-2419. doi: 10.1007/s00405-017-4517-8. Epub 2017 Mar 10. PMID: 28283791