Bast F, Frank A, Schrom T
Craniofacial Unit, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2013;75(6):361-5. doi: 10.1159/000358254. Epub 2014 Feb 12.
The Eustachian tube is responsible for ventilation, protection and drainage of the middle ear. Dysfunction of the Eustachian tube can lead to impairments ranging from inadequate pressure equalisation in the middle ear and pneumatised mastoid process to cholesteatoma. Conventional surgical interventions for chronic tube dysfunction have not brought resounding clinical success. However, the 'Bielefelder Balloon dilatation' constitutes a new and, judging from early results, very effective treatment for chronic tube dysfunction. Proof of the efficacy of the surgical procedures is provided by objective clinical factors, but for quality assurance, the assessment of the subjective quality of life of patients must also be taken into account. To measure health-related quality of life, standardised questionnaires are used which have been tested for reliability, validity and sensitivity.
A total of 30 patients were included in the study. The patient survey was conducted retrospectively, and validation of patient satisfaction was carried out with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).
GBI analysis revealed significant improvements in the total score as well as in general and physical health.
The Bielefelder Balloon dilatation is a new and safe treatment for chronic tube dysfunction, which had a significant positive influence on the postoperative quality of life of our patient cohort.
咽鼓管负责中耳的通气、保护和引流。咽鼓管功能障碍可导致多种损害，从中耳压力平衡不足和气化乳突到胆脂瘤。针对慢性咽鼓管功能障碍的传统手术干预并未取得显著的临床成功。然而，“比勒费尔德球囊扩张术”是一种新的治疗方法，从早期结果来看，对慢性咽鼓管功能障碍非常有效。手术程序的疗效由客观临床因素证明，但为了保证质量，还必须考虑对患者主观生活质量的评估。为了测量与健康相关的生活质量，使用了经过可靠性、有效性和敏感性测试的标准化问卷。
本研究共纳入30例患者。患者调查采用回顾性方式进行，并使用格拉斯哥效益量表（GBI）对患者满意度进行验证。
GBI分析显示总分以及总体健康和身体健康方面均有显著改善。
比勒费尔德球囊扩张术是一种治疗慢性咽鼓管功能障碍的新的安全方法，对我们患者群体的术后生活质量有显著的积极影响。
