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Incidence of Patulous Eustachian Tube Following Bariatric Surgery: An Observational Study at a Single Center
Hiram H Plata-Huerta1, Josefina Alejandra Morales-Del Angel1, Gerardo E Muñoz-Maldonado2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González" Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Madero y Gonzalitos, s/n, Mitras Centro Monterrey 64460 Nuevo León México.
Objective:
To evaluate the incidence of Patulous Eustachian Tube (PET) following bariatric surgery using standardized diagnostic criteria.
Study Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Tertiary academic medical center in northern Mexico.
Methods:
Sixty-four adults undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy were enrolled from April 2024 to June 2025. Otological assessments were conducted preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 3 months postsurgery. PET diagnosis was determined using the Japan Otological Society (JOS) criteria. The Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7) was administered at each visit. Weight loss parameters were recorded, and correlated with PET outcomes.
Results:
64 enrolled patients, 12 were excluded, and 52 were analyzed. The mean patient age was 39.4 years (SD ± 10.7); 73.1% were women. Mean weight loss at 3 months was 22.8 kg (19.3% of initial body weight). No patients met criteria for definite PET at any time point. The proportion of patients with possible PET increased from 9.6% preoperatively to 23.1% at 3 months (P = .07). ETDQ-7 scores did not change significantly across time points (median 8-9; P = .55). No significant correlation was observed between magnitude of weight loss and PET outcomes.
Conclusion:
Despite significant weight loss, no confirmed cases of PET 3 months after bariatric surgery. These findings suggest that previously reported high PET incidence rates may reflect inconsistent diagnostic standards rather than true clinical pathology. Symptom-driven evaluation rather than routine PET screening may be more appropriate in the early postoperative period. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to assess long-term risk.
