
doi: 10.1002/lary.30132
pmid: 35442523
Objective To examine the effectiveness of Eustachian tube procedures for the treatment of baro‐challenge Eustachian tube dysfunction. Methods Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, databases, including PubMed (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health), Scopus (Elsevier), and CINAHL (EBSCO), were searched for articles examining the effectiveness of Eustachian tube procedures for baro‐challenge Eustachian tube dysfunction. Outcome measures included symptom resolution, ability to return to work, equalization problems (EP) scores, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ‐7) scores, and pressure chamber testing parameters. Pooled meta‐analysis was performed for dichotomous measures and ETDQ‐7 scores. Results Eleven articles with 81 patients were included. Seventy‐two patients from 10 articles underwent balloon Eustachian tube dilation; nine patients in 1 study underwent laser Eustachian tuboplasty (LET). All 81 patients were preoperatively symptomatic with barometric pressure change, and 26/30 (86.7%) were unable to work due to symptoms. On meta‐analysis, after balloon dilation Eustachian tuboplasty (BDET), 82.5% ( n = 30 [95% confidence interval: 42%–100%]) had improvement in ability to valsalva, 79.1% ( n = 16 [57.9%–94.1%]) in ability to return to work, and 84.3% ( n = 69 [69.8%–94.7%]) in any symptom. Of 25 patients with individual ETDQ‐7 scores, 79.1% [51.4, 96.9] had improvements after BDET. For four case series with 36 patients, ETDQ‐7 scores decreased by 1.2 [0.7, 1.7] ( p < 0.00001). Of 20 patients with preoperative ETDQ‐7 scores >2.0, there was a mean decrease of 2.1 [1.3, 2.8] ( p < 0.00001). Conclusion From the available evidence, Eustachian tube procedures appear to be effective at improving symptoms of baro‐challenge Eustachian tube dysfunction. However, higher quality evidence is needed to support making definite recommendations for the use of balloon Eustachian tube dilation or LET for these patients. Laryngoscope , 132:2473–2483, 2022
Tympanoplasty, Eustachian Tube, Surveys and Questionnaires, Humans, Ear Diseases, Dilatation
Tympanoplasty, Eustachian Tube, Surveys and Questionnaires, Humans, Ear Diseases, Dilatation
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 14 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
