Predictors of eustachian tube dysfunction improvement and normalization after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objective: Studies have demonstrated improvement in Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) symptomatology after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS); however, factors associated with ETD symptom alteration have not been elucidated. This study evaluated factors associated with improvement and normalization of ETD symptoms after FESS. Methods: A case‐control study was performed of FESS patients who had clinically significant ETD symptoms based on the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire‐7 (ETDQ‐7 ≥ 2.1) without middle ear effusion (MEE) preoperatively. Study patients were identified as those with a normalized ETDQ‐7 at 2 months postoperatively. Controls were patients whose ETDQ‐7 did not normalize at 2 months. Demographics, surgery characteristics, chronic rhinosinusitis phenotype, Lund‐Mackay score, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD), preoperative ETDQ‐7 and SNOT‐22 scores, and tympanograms were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed comparing study cases and controls. Results: Data were collected on 165 patients, with 46% patients having clinically significant preoperative ETD and 60 patients meeting final study inclusion/exclusion criteria. FESS was associated with both SNOT‐22 and ETDQ‐7 improvement (P < 0.001). Nasal polyposis was associated with a higher probability of ETDQ‐7 normalization (OR 4.429, P = 0.035). Factors associated with failure of ETDQ‐7 normalization included TMJD (OR 0.086, P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.019–0.391) and high preoperative ETDQ‐7 (OR 0.140, P = 0.006, 95% CI 0.032–0.613). Conclusion: In patients with clinically significant ETD symptoms without MEE, FESS was associated with ETDQ‐7 improvement. Nasal polyposis was associated with an increased probability of normalization of ETD symptoms postoperatively, whereas TMJD had a negative association. Level of Evidence: 3b Laryngoscope, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]