Objective: To evaluate microdebrider eustachian tuboplasty for treatment of patients with eustachian tube dysfunction.
Study design: A prospective study of 20 patients with eustachian tube dysfunction who underwent microdebrider eustachian tuboplasty (mETP) was performed at an academic medical center. Surgery involved use of a microdebrider to remove hypertrophied mucosa from the posterior eustachian tube cushion. All patients had concurrent sinonasal disease and underwent endoscopic sinus surgery at the time of mETP.
Results: There were no surgical complications. Following mETP, subjective symptoms of ear blockage improved in 14 of 20 patients (70%). Mean pure tone average improved by 6 dB (27 dB pre-op vs 21 dB post-op; P = 0.013). Abnormal tympanogram improved in 11 of 17 patients (65%). Failure of the procedure correlated with severity of mucosal disease as measured by both elevated tissue eosinophil count and advanced sinus CT stage (P = 0.018 and P = 0.014, respectively). Mean follow-up was 13 months (range 3-34 months).
Conclusion: Microdebrider eustachian tuboplasty appears to be a safe procedure for the treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction.