EUSTACHIAN TUBE DYSFUNCTION FOLLOWING ANTERIOR NASAL PACKING

Background: Eustachian tube maintains middle ear pressure equal to that of atmosphere and helps in ventilation of middle ear. Its function may be deranged due to adenoids, cleft palate, nasogastric tubes, allergy and by nasal packing. Objectives:To evaluate the effect of anterior nasal packing on Eustachian tube function. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 50 patients with deviated nasal septum with or without external nasal deformity and nasal polyposis. Tympanometry was performed prior to surgery, second post-operative day before pack removal and on seventh post-operative day ve days after pack removal. Results: Out of 50 patients (100 ears) who had anterior nasal packing after nasal surgeries, 40 ears had abnormal middle ear pressure after 48 hours of anterior nasal packing just before the pack removal. Middle ear pressure 5 days after the pack removal was found abnormal in 4 ears. Conclusion: This study shows that anterior nasal packing result in Eustachian tube dysfunction and negative middle ear pressure which is reversible in nature.