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Navigation-Assisted Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty for Eustachian Tube Dilatory Dysfunction
Sung-Won Choi1, Seok-Hwan Lee1, Se-Joon Oh1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
|May 12, 2020
Summary
Image-guided navigation balloon catheters offer a safe and feasible method for treating Eustachian tube dilatory dysfunction (ETD). This innovative approach enhances surgical precision during balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET), reducing risks associated with catheter insertion depth.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Devices
- Surgical Navigation
Background:
- Eustachian tube dilatory dysfunction (ETD) affects numerous patients, often requiring intervention.
- Current Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty (BET) lacks precise catheter insertion depth guidance, posing risks like internal carotid artery (ICA) injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of a novel image-guided navigation balloon catheter system for BET.
- To assess the system's ability to identify catheter insertion depth and proximity to the ICA.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 29 patients (38 ears) with ETD, unresponsive to medical therapy, underwent image-guided navigation-assisted BET.
- Patient outcomes were evaluated using the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) and Valsalva maneuver success rates.
Main Results:
- Image-guided navigation-assisted BET was performed safely in all participants.
- Significant improvement in ETDQ-7 scores was observed post-procedure (preoperative: 25.4±7.1; 6 months: 15.2±7.0, P<0.001).
- Successful Valsalva maneuver was achieved in 73.7% of ears at 6 months follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Image-guided navigation balloon catheters represent a technically feasible and safe advancement for BET in ETD treatment.
- This technology enhances surgical confidence and potentially improves patient outcomes in managing ETD.
