Study of the effect of Anterior nasal packing on Middle ear pressure

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Middle ear pressure changes may arise from various conditions including eustachian tube malfunction and middle ear pathologies such as otitis media with effusion leading to chronic otitis media. Eustachian tube dysfunctions are caused by nasal pathologies such as rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, etc. The study's objective is to evaluate the changes in middle ear pressure brought on by anterior nasal packing causing altered eustachian tube performance. METHODS: 72 patients that are undergoing nasal surgery participated in this observational prospective study. All patients having normal impedance audiometry preoperatively were included and again assessed postoperatively twice, once with the pack in situ and once 6 hours after pack removal. All nasal packs were removed 24 hours following surgery.