Impact of bariatric surgery on Eustachian tube function
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.2190Keywords:
Auditory tube, bariatric surgery, obesity, weight loss, autophonyAbstract
Introduction - Rapid weight loss that occurs in the period after bariatric surgery can lead to a reduction in the adipose tissue that surrounds the cartilaginous portion of the Auditory Tube (AT). It is suggested in the literature that this loss of adipose tissue may correspond to a theoretical risk factor for AT dysfunction, although its real incidence is not known.
Objectives - The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between weight loss, 6 months after bariatric surgery, and the incidence of AT dysfunction.
Material and Methods - Prospective cohort study carried out with 50 patients aged 18 years or over and with formal criteria for bariatric surgery: body mass index > 40 kg/m2 or > 35 kg/m2 presenting related co-morbidities to weight. All patients underwent a complete objective examination, nasal endoscopy, tympanogram, pure tone audiogram, AT function tests and a questionnaire aimed at symptoms of AT dysfunction - Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7-PT). Regardless of the questionnaire, patients were also asked about 3 symptoms (autophony, ear fullness and feeling their own breath in their ear). Patients were evaluated 1 month before and 6 months after bariatric surgery. Patients with changes in the initial pre-surgical assessment, history of otological/rhinological pathology, previous surgery in these anatomical areas or previous bariatric surgery were excluded.
Results - The average age was 47.3 ± 12.9 years and 82% of patients were female. The average weight loss in the 6th month after bariatric surgery was 41.6 ± 19.2 kg. The incidence of symptoms of autophony, ear fullness and feeling one's own breath in the ear was 22%, 24% and 26%, respectively. The ETDQ-7-PT score, 6 months after surgery, ranged from 7 to 33, with a mean of 12.5 ± 6.9. The magnitude (p = 0.003) and velocity (p = 0.006) of weight loss were significantly higher in patients with AT dysfunction (ETQD-7-PT score ≥ 14.5, n = 8, 16%). The distributions by sex, age or smoking did not show statistically significant differences according to the ETDQ-7-PT result (p > 0.05).
Conclusions - Bariatric surgery can cause AT dysfunction, with a statistically significant relationship with the magnitude and speed of weight loss.
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