Local anaesthetic Eustachian tube balloon dilatation: a prospective case-series analysis of 31 patients

Eustachian tube balloon dilatation performed for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction can lead to improvements in symptoms and a reduction in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 scores. While historically performed under general anaesthetic, studies have demonstrated that Eustachian tube balloon dilatation can be performed under local anaesthetic with equivalent efficacy. We describe our local anaesthetic protocol used to perform Eustachian tube balloon dilatation in the out-patient setting and report outcomes from our case series.

Prospective analysis of all patients undergoing Eustachian tube balloon dilatation between October 2019 and July 2024.

Thirty-one patients underwent 40 dilatations under local anaesthetic. All were well tolerated, with no adverse events. There was a statistically significant decrease in the average total Eustachian Tube Dilatation Questionnaire-7 score of -6.75 points (p = 0.0029) at short-term follow-up and of -7.58 points (p = 0.034) at long-term follow-up.

Our study provides further evidence that Eustachian tube balloon dilatation for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction can improve Eustachian Tube Dilatation Questionnaire-7 scores, and can be performed successfully under local anaesthetic in the out-patient setting.