Autoinflation in the treatment of glue ear in children

The use of autoinflation in the treatment of glue ear has been widely recommended. In order to assess its efficacy, 40 children were studied. 21 children practised nasal autoinflation of a toy balloon 3 times daily for 3 weeks and 19 children had no treatment. In the autoinflation group only 4 glue ears improved, while in the untreated group 10 glue ears improved. This study suggests that autoinflation has no part to play in the treatment of glue ear in children.