The immediate effect of adenotonsillectomy on Eustachian tube function in children

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adenotonsillectomy on immediate Eustachian tube (E-tube) function in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Methods: All children who were scheduled to undergo adenotonsillectomy were assessed. Physical examinations were performed on the preoperative day, and on postoperative days 1 and 2. Exams included visual inspection of the tympanic membrane and tympanometry including measurement of middle ear pressure (MEP) (daPa). The children were divided into four types (AA, CA, CC, and BB types) based on the tympanometric results of postoperative days 1 and 2. Results: A total of 50 ears from 25 children (mean age±standard deviation [SD]=8.6±3.2; male/female=10/15; mean body mass index±SD [kg/m²]=18.5±3.7) were included. The rates of AA, CA, CC, and BB types were 10% (5/50), 14% (7/50), 74% (37/50), and 2% (1/50), respectively. On postoperative day 2, 76% of cases were abnormal or unresolved (38/50), while 24% were normal or resolved (12/50). There were significant decreases in MEP both before and after adenotonsillectomy (p's<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the MEPs measured on postoperative days 1 and 2. There were no significant differences between the right and left ears with regard to the MEPs on the preoperative day, or postoperative days 1 and 2. Conclusions: Immediate E-tube dysfunction is a relatively common complication in children after adenotonsillectomy. Therefore, in the setting of immediate E-tube dysfunction, it is important to properly plan postoperative care and management.