Intranasal metered dose aerosolized surfactant reduces passive opening pressure of the eustachian tube: comparison study in two animal models.

Hypothesis: Intranasal metered dose aerosolized inhaler surfactant will reduce opening pressure of the eustachian tube in gerbils and mice.

Background: Eustachian tube opening pressure necessary to allow ventilation of the middle ear must exceed the contractile force exerted by the tension on the curved surface of the eustachian tube. When the active function of opening the eustachian tube is inefficient, functional collapse of the tube persists, resulting in negative middle ear pressure.