Nasal surgery and eustachian tube function: effects on middle ear ventilation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of nasal obstruction surgery on eustachian tube function and middle ear ventilation.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome.


METHODS
Forty consecutive patients who underwent nasal surgery were evaluated for middle ear ventilation and tubal function.


METHODS
Pre- and postoperative Valsalva and Toynbee tubal function tests, tympanometry and ear fullness sensation were evaluated for both ears of each patient.


RESULTS
Results of postoperative tubal function tests were significantly better than preoperative ones (90% versus 46%; P<0.001). No significant difference in tympanometric values was found. The majority (95%) of the patients reported a postoperative improvement of ear fullness sensation compared with preoperative (25%; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery for chronic nasal obstruction significantly improves clinical tubal function but 1-month postoperative tympanometric findings remain almost the same.
Salvinelli
F
F
Department of Otolaryngology, Interdisciplinary Center for Biomedical Research (CIR), University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.
Casale
M
M
Greco
F
F
D'Ascanio
L
L
Petitti
T
T
Di Peco
V
V
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome