Balloon Eustachian Tuboplasty and Grommet Insertion: A Combined Surgical Treatment for Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media with Eustachian Tube Dysfunction

Abstract

Objectives. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) and grommet insertion in patients having chronic suppurative otitis media combined with eustachian tube dysfunction (CSOM-ETD). Methods. We evaluated the data of CSOM-ETD patients (n = 96) from January 2019 to January 2021, who were divided into the following groups: 48 cases underwent BET (BET group) and 48 cases underwent BET plus Grommet insertion (BET + Grommet group). The air-bone gap (ABG), Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ‐7) score, Eustachian tube inflammation scale, Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test 15 (COMOT-15), Valsalva maneuver, and patient satisfaction were evaluated after surgery. Results. The postoperative ABG in the BET + Grommet group was better than that in the BET. In addition, the ABG was improved obviously in the BET + Grommet group at 6 and 12 months after the corresponding surgery. Moreover, the Eustachian tube inflammation scale, ETDQ-7, and COMOT-15 scores were reduced after the treatment with the combination of BET and Grommet insertion at 6 and 12 months. The postoperative ETDQ-7 score, Eustachian tube inflammation scale, and COMOT-15 score were lower in the BET + Grommet group than that in the BET group. The percentage of patients who could perform a positive Valsalva maneuver was significantly higher in the BET + Grommet group than that in the BET group at 6 months and 12 months after surgery with increased patient satisfaction. Conclusion. Our results demonstrate that BET plus Grommet insertion showed better treatment efficacy for patients with CSOM-ETD than BET alone via improving the Eustachian tube function hearing outcome and quality of life with less Eustachian tube inflammation.