Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2024 Nov;17(4):273-281. 10.21053/ceo.2024.00121.

Consensus Statement: Postoperative Management After Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube

• Kwak MY
• Lee HY
• Kong SK
• Moon IS
• Kim BJ
• Suh MW
• Jung JY
• Park HJ
• Lee KY
• Cho HH
• Ikeda R
• Song JJ
• Lee CK

• KMID: 2561360
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2024.00121

Abstract

Objectives
. Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is widely recognized as a minimally invasive treatment for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). We employed a Delphi consensus methodology to develop recommendations for the clinical management of BDET in cases of obstructive ETD.
Methods
. A Delphi panel consisting of 26 expert physicians specializing in otology participated in two rounds of anonymous, iterative questionnaires. Consensus was defined as agreement from ≥70% of the panelists on a recommendation, while disagreement was defined as <70% agreement. The responses from the Delphi study were analyzed using both the content validity ratio and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance.
Results
. The panel finally evaluated 26 topics, reaching agreement on 9 and failing to reach consensus on 17 after two rounds. While consensus was not achieved regarding the postoperative follow-up period, a duration of 12 months was most commonly adopted. The Valsalva maneuver and questionnaire responses were identified as the most agreed-upon postoperative assessment tools following BDET.
Conclusion
. Consensus was reached on several recommendations for managing BEDT in obstructive ETD. This agreement will guide future research aimed at defining standard postoperative management for BEDT.

Keyword

Delphi; Eustachian Tube; Balloon Dilation; Obstructive

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Expert panel overview of evaluation tools for post-balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube follow-up. This figure presents a comprehensive list of tools and methods recommended for the follow-up evaluation of patients. The numbers below each tool indicate the frequency of their recommendation by experts in the field. ETDQ, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire; CT, computed tomography.

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  Fig. 2. Required period for follow-up after balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET). This pie chart represents the responses to a survey or study regarding the required period for follow-up after BDET. Follow-up recommendations for more than 12 months after BDET were made by 30.8% of the panel, while 19.2% recommended follow-up at 12 months, 6 months, and 3 months, respectively. None of the panel recommended a follow-up period of 1 month.

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