Aims: The purpose of repeated application of manosonic nebulizers (AMSA®) is to ensure active Eustachian tube rehabilitation and optimal middle-ear drug diffusion. In response to recent changes in marketing authorizations issued by the French National Drug Safety Agency (ANSM), the present study investigated how AMSA® is used in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region of France.
Material and methods: A prospective non-interventional regional 1-year survey was conducted in 701 general practitioners and community and hospital ENT physicians in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, using a questionnaire sent by mail with a reminder at 2 months. Percentage responses were compared on Chi2 test with alpha risk of 5%. Non-respondents were excluded.
Endpoints: The main endpoints were rate of AMSA® prescription, and prescription modalities in a specific geographical territory (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region) in 2018.
Results: 93% of the 114 respondents prescribed AMSA®, with 4,000 prescriptions in 1 year. 66.7% prescribed this treatment to avoid recourse to myringotomy. Mean treatment duration was 2 weeks (50.9% of respondents). The most frequent nebulized substance was saline serum (68.4% of respondents), sometimes associated to corticosteroids or mucolytics.
Conclusion: The majority of physicians in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, and notably the ENT physicians, were AMSA® prescribers for the treatment of Eustachian tube dysfunction and its consequences. However, the duration and modalities of use of AMSA® were very heterogeneous, and further studies are needed to standardize prescription.
Keywords: Eustachian tube dysfunction; Manosonic nebulizer; Myringotomy tube; Nebulizer; Serous or seromucous otitis.
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