Functional eustachian tuboplasty: a new surgical technique.

Until recently, there was no answer for the "physiologic" stenosis of the Eustachian tube (occurring in 20% of all cases of tubal occlusion). We describe a newly devised surgical procedure-tensor palati tendon "strengthening"-for the management of physiologic stenosis of the Eustachian tube. After the initial dissection of 20 cadavers, the basic surgical procedure was worked out. Then, the experimental study was conducted in four dogs to evaluate the effects of this new operation on the Eustachian tube functions as well as on the soft palate movements. Finally, four patients with physiologic tubal stenosis were treated successfully. The follow-up period ranged from 16 to 20 months. Strict selection of patients is encouraged.