No Gelfoam was used to support the vein in 10 simple underlay vein graft myringoplasties. Computed tomographic studies 24 hours postoperatively showed gas filling 75% to 100% of the middle ears in three ears. The epitympanum and mastoid were also evaluated. Apparently, in some ears the middle ear generates gas in the immediate postoperative period to support fresh vein grafts.
ElnerA.Quantitative studies of gas absorption from the normal middle ear. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh)1977; 83: 25–8.
2.
MatzJGRattenborgCGHoladayDA. Effects of nitrous oxide on middle ear pressure. Anesthesiology1967; 28: 948–50.
3.
RichardsSHO'NeillGWilsonF., Middle-ear pressure variations during general anesthesia. J Laryngol Otol1982; 96: 883–92.
4.
BuckinghamRAFerrerJL. Observations of middle ear pressures. Commentary with movie. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1980; 89(suppl 68): 56–61.
5.
HergilsLMagnusonB.Middle-ear pressures under basal conditions. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1987; 113: 829–32.
6.
HergilsLMagnusonB.Morning pressure in the middle ear. Arch Otolaryngol1985; 111: 86–9.
7.
ShinkawaHOkitsuTYusaTYamamuroMKanekoY.Positive intratympanic pressure in the morning and its etiology. Acta Otolaryngol [Suppl] (Stockh)1987(suppl 435): 107–11.
8.
SadéJLuntzM.Fluctuations of middle ear aeration in atelectatic ears. Acta Otolaryngol [Suppl] (Stockh)1988(suppl 458): 48–51.
9.
TakahashiHHayashiMHonjoI.Direct measurement of middle ear pressure through the eustachian tube. Arch Otorhinolaryngol1987; 243: 378–81.