[Balloon dilation of Eustachian tube is a new treatment of chronic otitis media].

Balloon dilation of Eustachian tube is a novel method for managing chronic ventilatory dysfunction in patients with chronic otitis media, as an alternative to classic grommet insertion. Although few retrospective studies have been conducted the method seems to be rapid, simple and safe with promising short-term results. This paper presents the method and summarizes the results of available studies. Optimization of patient selection is needed and we discuss the development of better objective measurement methods as well as the need for randomized prospective studies, which are currently being conducted.