The first eletrocnic Journal of Otolaryngology in the world
ISSN: 1809-9777

E-ISSN: 1809-4864

 
1910 

Year: 2014  Vol. 18   Num. 4  - Oct/Dec - (8º)
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1382097
Section: Original Article
 
The Impact of Acute Loss of Weight on Eustachian Tube Function
Author(s):
Gabriela Pascoto, Cassiana Abreu, Maria Laura Silva, Raimar Weber, Shirley Shizue Pignatari, Aldo Stamm
Key words:
eustachian tube - bariatric surgery - weight loss
Abstract:

Introduction: The eustachian tube is one of the key structures responsible for the functional balance of the middle ear. Some clinical conditions associated with tubal malfunction can cause extremely unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms could be triggered by acute loss of weight, for example, after bariatric surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and intensity of auditory tube dysfunction symptoms in obese patients after bariatric surgery.

Methods: Nineteen patients with accepted formal indications for bariatric surgery underwent a hearing evaluation (otoscopy, tonal and vocal audiometry, and impedanceometry) and a hearing questionnaire before, at the time of, 3 months after surgery (first postoperative evaluation), and 6 months (second postoperative evaluation) after surgery. Patients with a history of ear disease or ear surgery were excluded.

Results: None of the patients reported tubal dysfunction symptoms before surgery. Postsurgical results showed that 5 (26.3%) patients presented symptoms related to dysfunction of the eustachian tube at the first postoperative evaluation. After the 6-month follow-up, 9 (47.3%) patients reported symptoms of tubal dysfunction.

Conclusion: This study suggests that bariatric surgery can cause symptoms of eustachian tube dysfunction, probably due to rapid weight loss and the consequent loss of peritubal fat.

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