Eustachian tube dysfunction after tobacco smoke exposure

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of tobacco smoke exposure on eustachian tube (ET) function. STUDY DESIGN: ET pressures of Sprague Dawley Rats (n = 16) were measured after 1, 7, and 15 exposures and in control animals. Passive opening pressure, passive closing pressure, active clearance of positive pressure, and active clearance of negative pressure were measured. Mucociliary clearance times were also quantified (n = 32). RESULTS: Passive opening and passive closing pressures of smoke-exposed animals were greater than controls (P < 0.05). Passive opening pressure in smoke-exposed animals increased with increasing exposure (P < 0.001). Animals with 1 exposure had an active clearance of positive pressure higher than controls (P = 0.005) and those with 7 and 15 exposures had more negative active clearance of negative pressure than controls (P = 0.002, 0.03) Mucociliary clearance time was significantly elevated in experimental animals with 7 exposures (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in ET function exist in animals exposed to tobacco smoke. SIGNIFICANCE: ET dysfunction after tobacco smoke exposure may predispose children to the development of otitis media.