Abstract
Objective: Evaluate a new option for treatment of patients with Eustachian tube stenosis.
Method: Prospective surgical study. Three patients with unilateral intractable Eustachian tube stenosis (after surgical procedures) underwent retrograde illumination with Relieva Luma Sentry from middle ear to nasopharyngeal area and with endoscopic nasal approach to balloon dilatation to that area under general anesthesia. The procedures were done between 2010 and 2011.
Results: By following the light that was dissected through the stenosis tissue until we could have the Relieva Luma Sentry, we then inserted it retrograde inside a sphenoid balloon catheter and inserted the balloon inside a tubal lumen. After that, the balloon was inflated for 2 minutes with 10 atm to tubal dilatation. The approach to the middle ear was done transtympanically. Balloon catheters had success in dilatation in all cartilaginous Eustachian tubes. Balloon dilatation was not difficult to perform. Patients reported a very good improvement of hearing levels and a good dilatation comparing the tomography before and two months after the procedure.
Conclusion: Retrograde guided balloon dilatation of the nasopharyngeal Eustachian tube ostia showed good results. Larger studies are now needed to show the real role of this surgery.
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