Criteria of the evaluation of tubal function in patients with secretory otitis media

: Tubular function was assessed in patients with secretory otitis media before and after surgery (an original version of anterior tympanostomy). Preoperative tubular function was measured by impedance tympanometry. After tympanostoma was placed the acoustic tube was subjected to direct manometry. Perioperative measurements were made for tube patency for liquid (hydrocortisone). The tests of pressure adjustment implied routine spirit manometry and updated impedancemetry. Technical specifications of modern impedance meters met the criteria of clinical fitness for post-tympanostomy patients. The criteria of assessment and correlating quantitative values of the draining and ventilation capacities of the acoustic tube were determined. This was the basis for an original classification of tubular function grades. It was established that in secretory otitis media drainage dysfunction of the acoustic tube was registered in two thirds of the patients (66%), ventilatory dysfunction occurred in 100% of patients. There was a correlation between these functions. This fact was used for design of a simple screening variant of ear manometry i.e. registration of the threshold of acoustic tube passive opening. Screening manometry is convenient for following up postoperative changes in the tubular function and defining duration of carrying tympanostomy in secretory otitis.