Middle ear mechanics and Eustachian tube function in tympanoplasty.

In 100 patients with chronic otitis media, tubal function and volume was tested before operation. In a postoperative study on hearing and healing there was no positive correlation between these findings and the preoperative results. In 50 patients with healed ear drums, tubal function was retested in a pressure chamber with a flow volume technique. An improvement in Eustachian tube function could be demonstrated. These findings indicate that poor tubal function in chronic otitis media might be secondary to other factors responsible for the disease.