The Impact of Septoplasty on Eustachian Tube Function

Septoplasty is standard surgical procedure performed for correction of deviated nasal septum; it affects middle ear ventilation through altering Eustachian tube function.

To determine the effect of septoplasty on Eustachian tube function regarding deviation side.

A randomized, prospective controlled trial, in which 40 adult patients who underwent septoplasty (80 ears) were divided into: group A: 40 ears in which Eustachian tube function assessment was done on the affected side (deviated nasal septum), and 40 ears in which the function of Eustachian tube assessment was done on the contralateral side "group B". The nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale was used to analyze surgical satisfaction, ventilation of middle ear was assessed via Eustachian tube functions by the 7-Item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) test scale, insufflation tests (Valsalva and Toynbee), and tympanometry. These parameters were analyzed and compared, before and after septoplasty.

Among the 40 patients, the mean NOSE score was 13.68 ± 2.69 preoperatively and decreased to 5.76 ± 4.48 postoperatively; ETFQ-7 scores decreased from 12.48 ± 4.78 preoperatively to 7.56 ± 3.4 postoperatively; there were 22 functional Eustachian tubes (55%) preoperatively, which increased to 37 (92.5%) postoperatively, while dysfunctional Eustachian tubes decreased from 18 (45%) preoperatively to 3 (7.5%) postoperatively. Type-A curve tympanogram was (52.5%) preoperatively, which increased to (96.25%) postoperatively, while type-C tympanogram was (47.5%) preoperatively and decreased to (3.75%) postoperatively. Basal middle ear pressure was -33.56 daPA for group A and -29.24 daPA for group B preoperatively, and it changed to -18.96 daPA and -12.18 daPA postoperatively, respectively.

Septoplasty had a beneficial impact on the Eustachian tube function "ventilation of middle ear".