The tympano-frontal shunt: a procedure for the treatment of chronic Eustachian tube insufficiency.

Eight ears with complications due to chronic eustachian tube insufficiency had insertion of a silicone rubber tympano-frontal shunt tube between the mastoid antrum and the ipsilateral frontal sinus. A one-way valve designed to open at -10 mm H20 was placed on the tympanic end of the tube to minimize tube obstruction by ear secretions. Follow-up an average of 20 months post insertion showed six of the eight ears to have an aerated middle ear without fluid or tympanic membrane retraction or perforation.