Our Summary

This research paper is about a medical condition called obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction and a treatment for it known as balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET). The Eustachian tubes are small passages that connect your middle ear to the back of your throat. When they get blocked, it can cause problems like hearing loss or ear infections. BET is a surgical procedure that involves inflating a small balloon in the Eustachian tube to clear the blockage.

The authors of the paper reviewed nearly 2000 studies related to this topic, published in Spanish, English, German, and French between 1966 and November 2018. They ended up selecting 139 of these studies that were most relevant to their work.

They found that BET is recommended for several conditions related to the Eustachian tube, such as barotrauma (injury caused by changes in air pressure), serous otitis media (a type of middle ear infection), adhesive otitis (a condition where the eardrum sticks to the bones in the middle ear), and atelectatic middle ear (a condition where the eardrum is retracted). They also found that BET is particularly effective for treating barotrauma and serous otitis media.

The authors concluded that BET is a safe and effective treatment for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction in both adults and children.

FAQs

  1. What are the indications for Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty (BET)?
  2. How effective and safe is BET in treating obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction?
  3. What conditions is BET most effective in treating?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about ear tube surgery is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to reduce the risk of complications and promote healing. This may include keeping the ears dry, avoiding activities that could introduce water or debris into the ears, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. It’s also important to report any concerning symptoms, such as increased pain, discharge, or changes in hearing, to the doctor promptly. By following these guidelines, patients can optimize their recovery and outcomes after ear tube surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended ear tube surgery, specifically balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET), include those with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction confirmed by diagnostic tests such as tympanometry. Specific indications for BET include barotrauma, serous otitis media, adhesive otitis, atelectatic middle ear, and failure after tympanoplasty. BET has been shown to be more effective in treating barotrauma and serous otitis media compared to conservative medical treatment. The procedure is considered safe and effective for both adults and children with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction.

Timeline

Before ear tube surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms of obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction such as ear pain, pressure, hearing loss, and recurrent ear infections.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests such as tympanometry and Valsalva maneuver to confirm Eustachian tube dysfunction.
  3. Conservative treatments such as nasal decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal steroid sprays are tried without success.
  4. Patient is referred to an ENT specialist for further evaluation and consideration of ear tube surgery.

After ear tube surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) to dilate the Eustachian tube and improve middle ear ventilation.
  2. Patient may experience mild discomfort and ear drainage immediately after surgery.
  3. Patient is typically able to resume normal activities within a few days after surgery.
  4. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the effectiveness of the surgery and address any complications.
  5. Patient experiences improvement in symptoms such as reduced ear pain, pressure, and infections.
  6. Long-term results show that BET is effective in treating obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction, particularly in cases of barotrauma and serous otitis media.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the specific indications for me to undergo ear tube surgery (balloon Eustachian tuboplasty)?
  2. Are there any contraindications for me to undergo this procedure?
  3. What is the methodology of the balloon Eustachian tuboplasty procedure?
  4. What are the potential complications of ear tube surgery and how likely are they to occur?
  5. What results can I expect after undergoing balloon Eustachian tuboplasty?
  6. How long do the results of the procedure typically last?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies to consider before undergoing ear tube surgery?
  8. How experienced are you in performing balloon Eustachian tuboplasty procedures?
  9. Are there any specific post-operative care instructions I should follow after undergoing ear tube surgery?
  10. What is the success rate of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty in patients with similar conditions to mine?

Reference

Authors: Plaza G, Navarro JJ, Alfaro J, Sandoval M, Marco J. Journal: Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp (Engl Ed). 2020 May-Jun;71(3):181-189. doi: 10.1016/j.otorri.2019.01.005. Epub 2019 May 24. PMID: 31133274