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Published on: January 19, 2022
Optimal Eustachian Tube Plugging Method for Patulous Eustachian Tube Disorder
Seong Hoon Bae1, Taeuk Cheon1, Soo-Keun Kong2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Introduction:
Patulous Eustachian tube disorder (PET) causes disabling symptoms due to abnormal tubal patency. Eustachian tube plugging is a surgical option, but the optimal surgical position and plug material remain undetermined. To evaluate the success rate and complications of Eustachian tube plugging according to surgical position (sitting vs. supine) and plug material (silicone vs. angiocatheter).
Methods:
This retrospective study included 50 ears from 42 patients who underwent Eustachian tube plugging between May 2019 and May 2025. Surgical outcomes and complications were assessed up to 3 months postoperatively.
Results:
The overall complete remission (CR) rate was 70.0%, and 88.0% of patients experienced clinical improvement. Obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction occurred in 14.6% of ears, exclusively in CR cases. No tympanic membrane perforation was observed. The sitting position showed a higher CR rate (80.0%) compared to supine (60.0%) in short-term outcome.
Conclusion:
Sitting-position surgery may improve CR outcomes due to real-time symptom feedback. Angiocatheters are effective but prone to extrusion. Plugging is a promising procedure for PET with a favourable safety profile.
