Transtympanic Tripod-shaped Angiocatheter Insertion for Patients With Intractable Patulous Eustachian Tube

Despite the efforts to treat patients with patulous Eustachian tube (PET), intractable symptoms of PET may require surgical intervention. In this study, we introduce our surgical technique of "transtympanic tripod-shaped angiocatheter" (TTA) insertion and evaluate the safety and efficacy of the procedure in patients with intractable PET.

Retrospective chart review.

Tertiary referral center.

Thirty-two cases (26 patients) diagnosed with intractable PET between the years 2011 and 2019 were included in this study.

All cases were surgically treated with TTA insertion.

The clinical characteristics, surgical results, complication rates, and the level of satisfaction by questionnaires were analyzed for evaluation.

The mean age of enrolled patients was 40.9 ± 19.5 years, with slight male gender predominance (59.4% vs. 40.6%). Both ears were operated in six patients, simultaneously in three. All patients successfully received the insertion of TTA, with no immediate complication. Eleven cases were re-inserted after the first insertion due to the recurrence of symptoms or spontaneous extrusion of TTA. No major complications were observed during the follow-up period of 1 to 115 months (mean 37.7 mo). The average Visual Analogue Scale score of PET symptoms was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), along with 92% of patients with relief from autophony symptoms.

TTA insertion is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed in a short period under local anesthesia. Surgical intervention of TTA insertion for patients with intractable PET symptoms seems promising with a high success rate.