[Development of pressure in the middle ear after nasal operations].

The middle ear pressure was determined by tympanometry on 46 patients (92 middle ears) before and after rhinoplasty. Abnormal tympanograms and pathological negative pressure in the middle ear space was found in about a quarter of all cases. In the first two days after the operation a high negative pressure developed in about 70%. The negative pressure was equalized after the packing was removed and 5 days after the rhinoplasty we found normal middle ear pressure in 94% of patients. Reasons for development of negative intratympanic pressure are discussed. The conclusion from our investigation is that tympanoplasty and rhinoplasty surgery should not be performed on the same day.