Eustachian tube function in tympanoplasty clinical aspects

Abstract

In order to estimate the significance of pre—operative tests of Eustachian tube function for hearing and healing results, 203 tympanoplasty cases were reviewed. As a routine method Politzer and Valsalva inflations were used as pre—operative tubal tests. Thirty—nine cases were also tested with the aspiration method. Healed drums were found in 79—97 % of the cases (depending on the type of operation). A serviceable hearing (> 30 dB I. S. O.) or an air—bone gap within 10 or 15 dB were achieved in 71—96 % of the cases. Cases with negative aspiration tests did not give inferior results as compared with other cases. The investigation suggests that tympanoplasty should not be regarded as contra—indicated on the basis of preoperative tubal tests. In manifest postoperative tubal insufficiency, a good hearing, even in the presence of a healed drum, may be attained by way of a tubal by—pass (Armstrong tube or tympano—maxillary shunt).