The short-term and long-term efficacy of balloon dilatation Eustachian tuboplasty and tympanostomy tubes in children patients with recurrent otitis media with effusion

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy of balloon dilatation Eustachian tuboplasty（BET） and insertion of tympanostomy tubes in the treatment of recurrent otitis media with effusion（OME） in children, and to provide new ideas for the treatment of OME. Method:We made a retrospective analysis of 29 OME patients who had accepted BET and insertion of tympanostomy tubes in Beijing Children's Hospital. Their case history, the past history of insertion of tympanostomy tubes or adenoidectomy, and the audiometry and Eustachian tube function before surgery and 1 month, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months and 36 months after surgery were recorded. Statistical software was used to evaluate the recovery of Eustachian tube function and the prognosis of OME. Result:The average pure tone audiometry（PTA） of 29 patients was 17.5, 22.5, 18.5, 22.5, 18.5, 22.5, 22.5 dB at 1 month, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months and 36 months postoperatively. All the 29 patients'PTA was normal. ETS before surgery was 2.404±2.168. ETS of 1 month, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months after surgery was 4.064±3.003, 5.230±2.790, 5.787±2.170, 6.490±2.292 respectively. There was significant difference between preoperative and postoperative（P<0.01）. Conclusion:BET was a safe and reliable surgery for the treatment of OME in children. Its obvious effect was manifested at least 9 months after surgery. Therefore, tympanostomy tubes and BET were recommended doing at the same time for the treatment of OME with eustachian tube dysfunction. At the same time, in order to decrease the risk of recurrent OME, we recommended to take the tubes out until 12 months after surgery.