(A862) Results in Laser-Assisted Curvature Inversion Technique for Patulous Eustachian Tube

Introduction: Objective. To assess the laser-assisted curvature inversion technique for the treatment of patients with patulous Eustachian tube (PET).

Methods: Study Design. Case series with planned data collection. Setting. Tertiary care medical center. Subjects and Methods. Fifteen patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction underwent laser-assisted curvature inversion technique (CIT) of the medial and lateral lamina of the Eustachian tube. A KTP laser is used to create non coalescent full-thickness and medium thickness incisions in the medial and posterior aspect of the posterior cushion of the tube to modify the curvature and to alter the spring.. A change in the direction of the cartilaginous structure curvature is created to promote full closure of the patulous gap without interfering with the tube’s muscular activity. None of the patients had any concurrent disease or additional surgical procedure.

Results: There were no surgical complications. Following CIT, subjective symptoms of autophony on nasal breathing improved in 13 of 15 patients (86.6%), while voice autophony improved in 11 patients (73.3%); posterior cushion curvature became inverted and less wide, and the valve was seen more closed postoperatively on simple endoscopy and slow-motion video-endoscopic analysis. On otoscopy, abnormal tympanic membrane excursions disappeared in 14 of 15 patients (93.3%). Mean immittance changes in tympanometric measurements for the forced respiration conditions improved postoperatively at least 0.05 mmhos in 13 of 15 patients (86.6%); P = .015). The follow-up period was 24 months.

Conclusions: CIT appears to be a promising and relatively feasible technique for the treatment of PET