Impact of severe nasal obstruction due to nasal septal deviation and hypertrophic inferior turbinates on Eustachian tube function and middle ear ventilation

Abstract

Background Eustachian tube (ET) function and middle ear ventilation is affected by severe chronic nasal obstruction. Aim To study the effect of severe nasal obstruction due to nasal septal deviation and hypertrophic inferior turbinate and their correction on ET functions and middle ear ventilation. Patients and methods This prospective study involved 50 patients with severe nasal obstruction along with complaints of ear fullness. The nasal pathologies were surgically managed. Preoperative and postoperative impedance audiometric evaluation and nasal endoscopy were done to assess ET function. Results Patients included 28 (56%) males and 22 (44%) females. The age of patients ranged between 15 and 41 years, each group was divided into subtypes according to middle ear affection: group 1: severe nasal obstruction with type C: 18 ears, type B: four ears, and type A: 18 ears. Group 2: severe nasal obstruction with type C: eight ears, type B: nine ears, and type A: 17 ears. Group 3: severe nasal obstruction with type C: 17 ears, type B: five ears, and type A on tympanogram: four ears. Tympanogram was done preoperatively, and postoperatively the results were a significant improvement in ET dysfunction (P<0.05). Conclusions ET function and middle ear ventilation are affected by severe chronic nasal obstruction caused by deviated nasal septum and hypertrophic inferior turbinate. After septoplasty and inferior turbinate reconstruction, there was a signification improvement in nasal airway and ET function but insignificant improvement in cases with OME (Otitis Media with Effusion).