The study of Eustachian tube function in safe Otitis media

Introduction: Eustachian tube maintains equilibrium between middle ear and atmosphere, protects against nasopharyngeal pressure variations, ascending secretions and microorganisms. Patent and functioning Eustachian tube is the foremost requirement for success of tympanoplasty. The reason behind graftfailure is abnormal function of Eustachian tube, which is the main pathology behind chronic suppurative otitis media. Objectives: The Eustachian tube patency is assessed here with various tubal function tests in all cases of safe otitis media. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 100 patients were screened and tubal function of each of them was assessed through simple, reliable and cost effective and those which can be daily applicable Eustachian tube function tests,and each test was compared with the other individually and results were drawn accordingly. Results: Among all 100 patients assessed, impression drawn were in terms of success rates : On Valsalva- 84%, Siegalisation- 86%, Ear drops- 87%, Nasopharyngoscopy- 80%, Tympanometry- in 75% pressure could not be built up and rest 25% were subjected to Toynbee’s test, of which 64% showed “step-ladder” graph and 36% showed “flat” graph. Conclusions: Of all the tests mentioned above that mainly comment on patency of the Eustachian tube, Toynbee’s maneuveris the only test which tells about function of Eustachian tube, opening and closing mechanism for equalisation of middle ear pressure.