[An experimental study on the therapeutic effects of eustachian tube surfactant in barotitis media].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of surfactant on eustachian tube (ET) on the opening of ET as well as it's therapeutic role in barotitis media (BM).


METHODS
50 guinea pigs were successfully established as BM models by stimulated ascending in altitude chamber. Parts of the models were treated with by middle ear flushing with nature ETS, artificial ETS, artificial phospholipid and saline, after which the eustachian tube pressure opening level (POL) of each group was tested. Others were injected with 1 ml artificial ETS in on side of the middle ear, and 1 ml of saline in the other served as control.


RESULTS
Natural ETS decreased the POL from 11.98 to 6.11 kPa (P < 0.01); Artificial ETS reduced the POL from 11.91 to 6.67 kPa (P < 0.01), there were no significant differences between the two groups. Artificial phospholipid decreased the POL from 11.86 to 8.61 kPa (P < 0.05), which was not as effective as natural ETS. While the POL of saline group remained unchanged. After one week of artificial ETS treatment, the congestion in drum membrane alleviated, the hearing threshold of ETS group improved and the effusion in tympanic cavity lessened.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that artificial ETS is as effective as nature ETS to facilitates the opening of eustachian tube. Artificial ETS may exert therapeutic effects on BM.
Feng
Lining
L
Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Aerospace medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032.
Chen
Wenxian
W
Cong
Rui
R
Zheng
Guoxi
G
Gou
Lin
L
Guo
Qun
Q
D000818:Animals; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013501:Surface-Active Agents