Abstract: Objective To investigate the improved techniques for middle ear surgery in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media and eustachian tube dysfunction. Methods A total of 68 ears with chronic suppurative otitis media and eustachian tube dysfunction were analyzed. The observation group included 28 ears and underwent balloon eustachian tuboplasty and middle ear surgery at the same time. The control group included 40 ears and underwent middle ear surgery only. The Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7(ETDQ-7)scores, auditory thresholds, and air-bone gap before and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment were compared between the groups. Results The rate of improvement in auditory threshold in the observation group was 89%(25/28)and the frequency of dry ear was 93%(26/28). The rate of improvement in auditory threshold in the control group was 75%(30/40)and the frequency of dry ear was 95%(38/40). From 3 to 6 months after the operation, the observation group was satisfied with the treatment; however, symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction recurred partially 6 to 12 months after the operation. Conclusion Results from this small sample indicate that middle ear surgery combined with balloon eustachian tuboplasty may be more effective in improving auditory thresholds than middle ear surgery alone. The frequency of dry ear was similar in both groups. Two simultaneous operations may yield good treatment effects in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media 3 to 6 months postoperatively, but symptoms are likely to recur partially 6 to 12 months after the operation.

Key words: Balloon eustachian tuboplasty, Chronic otitis media, Eustachian tube dysfunction