EUSTACHIAN-TUBE OBSTRUCTION - NEW TECHNIQUE FOR TREATMENT

The function of the eustachian tube is ventilation of the middle ear t o equilibrate air pressure in the middle ear with atmospheric pressure . Obstruction of the middle ear produces a negative pressure in the mi ddle ear due to absorption of the oxygen from the middle ear cavity, o ften leading to otalgia. This study was done on 30 patients complainin g of otalgia. They were 16 males and 14 females. They were found to ha ve eustachian tube obstruction by examination, and negative middle ear pressure by tympanometry. All patients were treated with a mixture of equal amounts of nitrous oxide and oxygen under pressure for 30 minut es. Tympanometry was carried out immediately after discontinuation of the gas and again after 1 hour. The treatment appeared to be successfu l in 94% of patients as demonstrated by the absence of complaint and b y tympanometric measurements.