[Eustachian tube function of adhesive tympanum--pre and post operative evaluation]

We examined the eustachian tube function of 48 patients with adhesive tympanum who had undergone operations. Preoperative tubal openings were observed and determined in 57% of these cases by the dynamic movement of the tympanic membrane, 35% by the impedance method, and 74% by the sonotubometry and was found to be lower than in healthy subject. Furthermore the tubal opening duration in sonotubometry was significantly shortened in patients with adhesive tympanum as compared to healthy subjects. However, in a few cases of adhesive tympanum, tubal opening was prolonged remarkably, and indicated a mixed tendency of stenotic and patulous types. Postoperative tubal opening was not seen in 90.9% of the cases as determined by the inflation-deflation test. Mucociliary function was poor in 81.3% of the cases. No remarkable differences were seen between cases of total adhesion and those of posterosuperior quadrant adhesion by any method. The condition of the tympanic membrane and the tympanic cavity after operation, and the eustachian tube function were not correlated in some cases and indicated possible involvement of other factors.