Tests of eustachian tube function and ear surgery.

Few objective measures exist to predict the outcome of ear surgery. Clinical and experimental experience has shown the key role of the Eustachian tube in this respect, but clinical testing is seldom performed. The present study confirms that Eustachian tube testing may be of clinical significance by comparing preoperative test results before myringoplasty with the late results of this operation. In 157 patients the ability to equilibrate a static air pressure of plus or minus 200 mm of water passively or actively was tested. It turned out that in those 15% who could equilibrate minus 200 mm passively a 7 times higher rate of successful myringoplasty was found. Ears with cholesteatoma showed less ability to equilibrate actively. Despite these findings it is concluded that the present tests are insufficient for clinical use.