Eustachian Tube Function in Patients With Ear Drum Perforations Following Chronic Otitis Media: Results of a Simplified Testing Procedure by Deflation and Aspiration Methods

Abstract

During the last decade methods allowing adequate assessment of the Eustachian tube function have been developed. The author has simplified these new methods, the “deflation and aspiration methods” for clinical use. The equipment and the performance have been described and the reproducibility has been analyzed. 217 ears with central ear drum perforations following chronic otitis media have been tested and the results discussed. The residual pressure levels seem to be the most reliable way of grading the deflation and aspiration methods. Complete equalization in the range of 0 to 20 mm H₂O was achieved in 35% of the ears with positive pressure and in 23% of the ears with negative pressure. The simplified testing procedure presented in this report is an easy, rapid and reliable way to assess tubal function and provide important information.