Should Nasal Function be Considered Prior to Tympanoplasty?

To evaluate the association between nasal airway function and Eustachian tube (ET) functions and their impact on tympanoplasty in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM).

The study group (CSOM group) consisted of 33 patients scheduled to undergo tympanoplasty for CSOM. Two control groups were formed: a nasal septal deviation (NSD) group of 25 patients scheduled to undergo nasal surgery for NSD, and a control group of 25 healthy individuals with no otologic or rhinologic symptoms. ET functions were assessed tympanometrically with automatic Williams test (ETF1) and modified pressure equalization inflation-deflation test (ETF2) and nasal functions were analyzed using acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry. The patients in the CSOM group underwent tympanoplasty, and tests were repeated at the end of the 3rd postoperative month.

Both acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry revealed similar nasal function in the CSOM and NSD groups, which was inferior to that of the control group. The CSOM group had the worst ET function. Dysfunctional ETs in the CSOM group improved at 3 months postsurgery, and all groups had a similar outcome regarding ET functions. The outcome of ear surgery was not affected by nasal function, and the graft take rate was 90%.

Patients with NSD had generally poor ET function; however, this did not affect the outcomes of tympanoplasty. The preoperative ET function results were inconsistent with the results following tympanoplasty; therefore, they were not predictive of need for septoplasty. Thus, we do not universally recommend surgical correction of NSD prior to ear surgery; however, this decision should be made on an individual basis.