Endoscopic sinus surgery improves Eustachian tube function in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: a multicenter...

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) frequently co-occurs with Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD).
• Understanding the impact of surgical interventions on ETD in CRS patients is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in improving Eustachian tube function (ETD) among Chinese patients with CRS.
• To identify factors influencing the success of ESS in ameliorating ETD symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 70 CRS patients with ETD undergoing ESS across three tertiary medical centers in South China.
• Pre- and post-operative assessments included the Eustachian tube Dysfunction Questionnaire 7 (ETDQ-7), Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22), tympanometry, endoscopic evaluation, and Valsalva maneuver.
• Data were analyzed at 8-12 weeks post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in ETDQ-7 scores and Valsalva maneuver success rates post-ESS.
• Postoperative tympanograms showed an increase in Type A results, and reduced Eustachian tube mucosal inflammation was noted.
• ESS also appeared to reverse mild tympanic membrane atelectasis and improved tympanometry in over half of patients with concurrent otitis media with effusion.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic sinus surgery effectively improves Eustachian tube function in CRS patients with ETD.
• Failure to normalize ETD symptoms post-ESS was associated with the presence of allergic rhinitis and higher preoperative SNOT-22 scores.