Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty
Reviewed by Serge Latis

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a common condition, which is unfortunately lacking an effective treatment. This small study demonstrated the effectiveness of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty in a district hospital setting. It has been in use since 2010 and is beginning to become more widely adopted. This prospective study of 39 patients and 55 ears demonstrated impressive results with significant improvements in patients’ symptoms (using the ETDQ-7 questionnaire), ability to perform a valsalva manoeuvre and tympanometry. The lack of a control group does limit the conclusions one can draw from the study, however, it does provide further evidence regarding the usefulness of this new technique.

Balloon tuboplasty in patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction: a prospective study in 39 patients (55 ears).
Bowles PF, Agrawal S, Salam MA.
CLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY
2017;42:1025-60.