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Effect of Laser Uvulopalatoplasty on Middle Ear Function
Author(s) -
Marais Joe,
Armstrong Michael W.J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199912000-00009
Subject(s) - tympanometry , medicine , eustachian tube , middle ear , statistical significance , audiology , surgery , hearing loss , audiometry
Objectives: Palatal musculature is known to be responsible for the active opening of the eustachian (auditory) tube. Because laser‐assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) may involve partial division of these muscles, the effect of this procedure on middle ear pressures (MEPs) and middle ear volumes (MEVs) was investigated. Study Design: A controlled interventional trial with one limb receiving treatment and the other none. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were carried out in both groups. Methods: A control group of 15 normal volunteers and a study group of 22 patients undergoing LAUP all of whom had normal ears and type A tympanograms before the trial were recruited. Repeat tympanometry was carried out after 3 months in both groups. The results of MEP and MEV were recorded for both groups and analyzed by the Mann‐Whitney U test. Results: A trend toward reduced MEP and MEV was noted in the LAUP group, but did not achieve statistical significance. A study with more patients may achieve significance. Conclusions: No significant effects on middle ear pressures or volumes 3 months after LAUP were demonstrated. A much larger study may, however, arrive at a statistically significant result and further work is warranted. Relevant palatal and tubal anatomy is discussed and a brief review of the relevant literature is given.