Abstract: Objective To explore the short-term efficacy of eustachian tube balloon dilation combined with tympanostomy tube insertion for the treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion. Methods A total of 19 cases(21 ears)of chronic otitis media with effusion were treated with eustachian tube balloon dilation combined with tympanostomy tube insertion from August 2014 to December 2016. The short-term curative effect was assessed using pure tone average(PTA), air-bone gap(ABG), acoustic impedance, ear endoscopy, temporal CT scan, and subjective satisfaction visual analog scale scores. Results Surgery was successfully completed in all 19 patients under general anesthesia. Six months later, patients whose tube was not self-shedding underwent tube removal. Postoperatively, mean PTA decreased from 59.5±21.5 dBHL to 52.0±31.0 dBHL(t=3.409, P=0.005)and mean ABG decreased from 35.5±17.5 dBHL to 21.0±16.0 dBHL(t=2.957, P=0.011). 76.19% of the patients had their acoustic impedance tympanogram changed to type A postoperatively. Three patients(five ears)had no improvement in hearing or symptoms: two patients(four ears)had ongoing tympanic cavity effusion, and one patient(one ear)had recurrence three weeks after the catheter was removed and required placement of a second tube. Mean improvement in visual analog scale score was 6.17±1.16 points. Conclusion Eustachian tube balloon dilation in combination with tympanostomy tube insertion has a good short-term effect in the treatment of chronic otitis media with effusion.

Key words: Otitis media with effusion, chronic, Eustachian tube balloon dilation, Treatment outcome