Study Highlights the Benefits of Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation in Children

A recently published multi-center study provides additional evidence that Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube (BDET) is a safe and effective treatment option for children with chronic ear problems caused by Eustachian tube dysfunction.

The study included 219 children (425 ears) ranging in age from just 1 year old through 17 years old who suffered from chronic middle ear fluid (otitis media with effusion) or recurrent ear infections despite previous surgical treatment, including ear tube placement.

Researchers found:

• No major complications were reported.
• Minor side effects occurred in only 5.9% of patients.
• 93.8% of patients remained free from treatment failure at 1 year.
• 87.2% remained free from treatment failure at 2 years.
• Tympanograms improved in 83.7% of treated ears.

These findings are particularly encouraging because they suggest that addressing the underlying Eustachian tube dysfunction may help reduce the need for repeated sets of ear tubes in appropriately selected children. Rather than repeatedly treating the consequences of poor Eustachian tube function, BDET aims to improve the function of the Eustachian tube itself.

While not every child is a candidate for balloon dilation, this large study demonstrates that BDET can provide durable, long-lasting improvement in carefully selected pediatric patients, including some as young as one year of age.

Reference

Liu YC, Dean M, Thottam PJ, Babu S, Hosek K, Poe D, Mukerji S. Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube (BDET): A Pooled Analysis in Pediatric Patients. Laryngoscope. 2025.