Endoscopically Guided Transtympanic Balloon Catheter Dilatation of the Eustachian Tube: A Cadaveric Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transtympanic balloon catheter dilatation of the Eustachian tube (ET) in a cadaver model. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS A cadaveric study of 10 cadaver heads, which underwent unilateral transtympanic dilatation of the ET with a 3 × 20 mm balloon catheter with full endoscopic guidance and visualization. RESULTS Procedural safety was demonstrated, with no damage to any essential structures found. Feasibility of the procedure was demonstrated in all cadavers with 100% success rate, despite a small number of encountered difficulties. Statistically significant efficacy was also demonstrated in both radiologic and manometric data. CONCLUSION With full endoscopic visualization, the transtympanic approach to balloon catheter dilatation of the ET seems to be a feasible and safe procedure in the cadaver model.