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Eustachian tube balloon dilatation: a cross-sectional, survey-based study of 137 UK consultants
F S Koumpa1, I Moraitis2, P Bowles3
1Otolaryngology Department, Northwick Park Hospital, London, UK.
Objective:
To explore the opinions of the UK consultant body on endoscopic Eustachian tube balloon dilatation in the context of Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Method:
A 10-question online survey was distributed to ENT consultants currently practising in the UK (July-September 2018).
Results:
A total of 137 ENT consultants responded. Twenty-three per cent reported experience of Eustachian tube balloon dilatation, with a further 10 per cent planning to start performing the procedure. Of those performing the procedure, 16 per cent had more than two years' experience. Thirty-two per cent were performing zero to five procedures a year. Eustachian tube balloon dilatation was primarily conducted to treat Eustachian tube dysfunction symptoms, as well as retraction pockets, baro-challenge-induced Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media with effusion. The most common reason for not undertaking Eustachian tube balloon dilatation was insufficient evidence of efficacy (65 per cent). Seventy-two per cent of consultants thought that creating a national database for audit and monitoring purposes would benefit the specialty.
Conclusion:
The majority of UK ENT consultants do not practise Eustachian tube balloon dilatation, citing a lack of high-level evidence to support its use. A national database for auditing and research could facilitate the creation of guidelines.
