In-office balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube under local anesthesia: A retrospective review

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness and feasibility of in office balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) utilizing a novel anesthetic protocol. Study design: retrospective review. METHODS: Retrospective chart review looking at the tolerability and effectiveness of stand-alone BDET in an office setting utilizing a novel topical anesthesia protocol in 33 patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction as defined by an ETDQ-7 score greater than 2.2 and type B or C tympanograms for greater than 3 months despite maximal medical management, including at least 4 weeks of nasal steroids. RESULTS: BDET in the office was well tolerated with 94% (31/33) of patients completing the procedure as planned. No adverse effects or complications were reported; however, the planned dilation time was cut short in one case due to significant discomfort and aborted prior to dilation in another due significant coughing. Tympanograms normalized at six weeks in 87.1% (27/31) of patients who underwent dilation. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that performing BDET in an office setting utilizing a local anesthesia protocol is feasible and effective when the unique barometric considerations of BDET are addressed.