gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: Various pathological processes in the upper respiratory tract are high risk factors for eustachian tube (ET) obstructions in children. We have conducted objective estimation of the functional condition of the middle ear after surgical treatment of tonsil hypertrophy in children depending on the age.

Materials and methods: Adeno- and adenotonsillotomy was conducted among 79 children (N), including 36 patients at the age till 7 years old and 43 children over 7 years old. Estimation of the functional condition of the middle ear (n) before and a month after the operation was conducted by means of acoustic tympanometry. Statistical processing of tympanograms (n=308) was conducted using χ2 test.

Results: Before the operation the apparent obstruction of ЕТ with the registration of the type B tympanogram was observed in 65,2% (n=103/158) cases. Qualitative and quantitative improvement of tympanic cavity ventilation must be underlined. The number of type В tympanogram decreased from 83,3% (n=60/72) to 47,2% (n=34/72) in a group of preschoolers (р=0002) and from 50% (n=43/86) to 25,6% (n=22/86) in a group of school age children (p=0,0001). After adeno-or adenotonsillotomy exudation preservation in the tympanic cavity was proved by the myringotomy in preschool age children in 11,1% (n=8/72) cases and was much more infrequent in school age children – only in 3,5% cases (n=3/86).

Conclusions: The conducted research proves clinical practice that adenotonsillotomy is effective in treating eustachian tubes disfunctions and explains high popularity of tonsils surgical sanation among children's otorhinolaryngologists.

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