[Clinical application of incomplete tympanectomy for secretory otitis media in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Efficacy of previous treatments on secretory otitis media ears with severely damaged eustachian tube function after radiotherapy is limited. Tympan perforation can avoid relapse of secretory otitis media. This study was to explore clinical value of incomplete tympanectomy for secretory otitis media in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy. METHODS: After confirmed severely damaged eustachian tube function through comprehensive examinations, 16 NPC patients (18 ears) with secretory otitis media after radiotherapy received incomplete tympanectomy. All patients were followed up for more than 6 months. RESULTS: After operation, 11 of 18 (61%) ears remained tympan perforation, audition was improved at large in these ears, the average air-bone conduction difference decreased from 30.1 dB to 16.0 dB, other symptoms, such as aural fullness, tinnitus, and headache, basically disappeared. After operation, tympans closed up in 7 (39%) ears,the average air-bone conduction difference decreased from 33.0 dB to 32.1 dB. CONCLUSION: Incomplete tympanectomy may have a long and definite effect on secretory otitis media without any injury on audition after healing of tympan.