Effect of laser uvulopalatoplasty on middle ear function.
OBJECTIVE
Palatal musculature is known to be responsible for the active opening of the eustachian (auditory) tube. Because laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) may involve partial division of these muscles, the effect of this procedure on middle ear pressures (MEPs) and middle ear volumes (MEVs) was investigated.


METHODS
A controlled interventional trial with one limb receiving treatment and the other none. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were carried out in both groups.


METHODS
A control group of 15 normal volunteers and a study group of 22 patients undergoing LAUP all of whom had normal ears and type A tympanograms before the trial were recruited. Repeat tympanometry was carried out after 3 months in both groups. The results of MEP and MEV were recorded for both groups and analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test.


RESULTS
A trend toward reduced MEP and MEV was noted in the LAUP group, but did not achieve statistical significance. A study with more patients may achieve significance.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant effects on middle ear pressures or volumes 3 months after LAUP were demonstrated. A much larger study may, however, arrive at a statistically significant result and further work is warranted. Relevant palatal and tubal anatomy is discussed and a brief review of the relevant literature is given.
Marais
J
J
Department of Otolaryngology, The Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Armstrong
M W
MW
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012913:Snoring / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014609:Uvula / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*