Preliminary results with use of an eustachian tube prosthesis.

One of the primary causes of tympanoplasty failure is inadequate eustachian tubal function. Measures taken to improve tubal function have often been inadequate for their task. A prosthesis was constructed for the purpose of installation at the time of tympanoplasty to improve eustachian tubal function. Our early results with a two to 14-month follow-up of 38 patients show a success rate of 79 percent in secruing an aerated middle ear space in ears which were judged to have poor eustachian tubal function.