Objective diagnosis of Patulous Eustachian Tube following bariatric surgery using dynamic tympanometry

The aim of this study is to evaluate Patulous Eustachian Tube (PET) dysfunction developing after bariatric surgery using objective audiological tests, and to investigate the effect of rapid weight loss on the development of PET.

This prospective study was conducted between January and December 2024. A total of 64 patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 who underwent bariatric surgery were included. Patients underwent otorhinolaryngological examination and audiological tests preoperatively and postoperatively (six-month postoperative). The diagnosis of PET was made objectively using the Patulous Eustachian Tube program of the Interacoustics AT235 device.

68.8 % of the patients included in the study were female (n = 44) and 31.3 % were male (n = 20), with a mean age of 32.47 ± 5.11 years. While PET was not detected in any of the patients in the preoperative period (0 %), it developed in 25 % (n = 16) of the patients in the postoperative period. Greater weight loss was observed in patients who developed PET; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Symptoms such as autophony, ear fullness, and hearing their own breath sounds were observed in patients diagnosed with PET.

Rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery may trigger the development of PET. In this study, PET was reliably diagnosed through objective tympanometric tests. It is important that the diagnosis of PET be supported not only by subjective symptoms but also by objective tests. Patients with otological complaints after surgery should be carefully evaluated for PET.