title: What is the full range of medical and surgical treatments available for patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the current medical and surgical treatment options for Eustachian tube dysfunction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Balloon dilation or microdebrider Eustachian tuboplasty are feasible treatment options for patients with refractory dilatory dysfunction as an alternative to tympanostomy tube placement. There is increasing evidence that repair of patulous Eustachian tubes by the insertion of a shim or fat graft reconstruction within the lumen of the Eustachian tube orifice may be effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction that is refractory to medical management, newer surgical techniques may provide symptomatic relief with a reasonable duration. Continued basic science research into the cause of dysfunction, the mechanisms of benefit from intervention and long-term clinical outcomes are necessary.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital bDepartment of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Eelam
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adil
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poe
mesh_terms: D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D005064:Eustachian Tube; D006801:Humans