Eustachian Tube Dilation in Children – results of 1,000 telephone interviews

Introduction:

Data was gathered from short telephone interviews with 1,000 patients with their parents and no follow-up.

Results:

1,420 interventions were carried out on 1,000 patients. 580 unilateral and 420 bilateral ETDs were performed. Median age was 5.4 years (20 months to 12 years, median follow-up 2 years). An adenoidectomy and paracentesis, in some cases also with grommets, had been performed in all children prior to the ETD. The ETD was carried out following recurrence of tympanic effusion. None of the children had primary dilation. 805 children had no prior ear surgery. 195 children had prior ear surgery (tympanoplasty). 816 patients (22%) had no post-operative complications, 28 patients (3%) developed otitis, pressure on the ear was reported by the parents in 105 cases (10.5%). Pain was reported by 72 patients (7%), epistaxis lasting a few days was reported by the parents in 24 cases (2.5%) (multiple answers possible). Overall, satisfaction with treatment was gratifying. 78% (776 patients) were extremely or very satisfied. Only 22% (224 patients) were not satisfied or very unsatisfied. Only 18.5% (184 patients) had required repeat surgery in the follow-up period up to the time of the interview (new grommets, paracentesis or repeat ETD).

Conclusions:

Although the comparative prospective study versus grommets is (still) not available as yet, this retrospective parent survey demonstrates that Eustachian Tube Dilation appears to be highly suitable for use as a low-cost, safe and effective pediatric treatment of Eustachian tube disorders. The low rate of repeat surgery post-ETD suggests that this could really be an alternative to pediatric treatment with grommets.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)