title: Mouse model of experimental Eustachian tube occlusion: a surgical technique.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrates a mouse model of chronic Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction using a surgical technique that is reproducible and effective with low mortality and morbidity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To create a reproducible and effective mouse model of ET obstruction with a low operative morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty healthy, male CBA/CaJ mice underwent the procedure. ET obstruction was performed on one side under general anesthesia; A small piece of dental material (Gutta Percha Points, Meta Biomed, Chungbuk, Korea) was placed via the tympanic orifice of the ET to occlude the entire ET. The contralateral ears of animals served as a control. One month after the operation, all ears were inspected under an operating microscope for signs of ET dysfunction. Primary outcome measures were the signs of ET dysfunction inspected through tympanic membrane (TM) 4 weeks after the operation and confirmation of ET occlusion by post-mortem dissection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty (100%) of the treated mice ears developed ET dysfunction, as confirmed by the middle ear appearance on otoscopy and dissection post-mortem and 0% of the control ears at 4 weeks. The most common otoscopic signs were thickened TMs and middle ear effusions. No mortality or morbidity occurred either from anesthesia or surgery.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otolaryngology , Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University , Palo Alto , CA , USA and.|b Department of Otolaryngology , Head and Neck Surgery, Konya Numune Hospital , Konya , Turkey.
authors.forename: Yasin K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Varsak
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otolaryngology , Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University , Palo Alto , CA , USA and.
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Santa Maria
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Animal model; Eustachian tube; mice; otitis media with effusion