Efficacy and safety of balloon dilation of eustachian tube in children: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Article

Full Text via DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2022.111048 Web of Science: 000783880800005

Cited authors

  • Aboueisha MAA, Attia ASS, McCoul EDD, Carter J

Abstract

  • Objectives: Eustachian tube dysfunction is a common condition that may lead to otitis media with effusion, hearing loss and developmental delays in children. We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of balloon dilation of the eustachian tube (BDET) in the pediatric population.& nbsp;Data sources: Original studies of BDET in a pediatric population were identified in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Clinicaltrials.gov and CINAHL.& nbsp;Methods: Outcomes of efficacy included audiometric findings and adverse events were summarized for each study.& nbsp;Results: Seven articles were included involving 408 children with a mean age of 9.9 years old (95%CI 8.8, 11.1) and a mean follow up of 19.2 months (95%CI 15, 23). Type B tympanograms decreased after BDET from 64.2% (95%CI 53.3, 73.8) to 16.1% (95%CI 8.5, 28.4). Air-bone gap (ABG) decreased after BDET from a mean of 25.3 dB (95%CI 18.9, 31.6) to 10.2 dB (95%CI 8.9, 11.5). The pooled estimate of adverse events after BDET was 5.1% (95%CI 3.2, 8.1), the majority being self-limited epistaxis with no major adverse events reported. Three studies compared BDET to ventilation tube insertion; analysis of post-operative ABG showed a greater decrease in the BDET group (mean difference -6.4 dB; 95%CI-9.8, -3.1; p = 0.002).& nbsp;Conclusion: Although there are no prospective randomized control trials, BDET & PLUSMN; tympanostomy tube placement may produce outcomes that are comparable to tympanostomy tube placement in the treatment of otitis media with effusion in the pediatric population. Most children undergoing the procedure are those with recalcitrant disease. The procedure is safe with the most common complication being epistaxis.

Authors

Publication date

  • 2022

Published in

Category

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0165-5876

Number of pages

  • 8

Volume

  • 154