Eustachian—tube patency in chronic ears preoperative evaluation correlated to postoperative results

Abstract

Eustachian—tube patency was measured with Bortnick's technique in 120 chronic ears. The positive test correlated reasonably well with good postoperative results in the normal tympanum and in cases of mild tympanal pathology. In general, the otomicroscopic result as found to provide a more reliable basis for estimation of the prognosis of tympanoplasty. If the formation of adhesions during the primary healing period is prevented, the function of the Eustachian tube can postoperatively be restored, making an aerated tympanum possible.