title: Preliminary results with use of an eustachian tube prosthesis.
abstract: One of the primary causes of tympanoplasty failure is inadequate eustachian tubal function. Measures taken to improve tubal function have often been inadequate for their task. A prosthesis was constructed for the purpose of installation at the time of tympanoplasty to improve eustachian tubal function. Our early results with a two to 14-month follow-up of 38 patients show a success rate of 79 percent in secruing an aerated middle ear space in ears which were judged to have poor eustachian tubal function.
mesh_terms: D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013997:Time Factors; D014433:Tympanoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects