Objective To develop a valid animal model for otitis media with effusion (OME). Design Forty
specific pathogen–free Wistar rats underwent a procedure based on the permanent
obstruction of pharyngeal eustachian tube by means of electrocoagulation without any
manipulation. Setting Ear Research Group, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Puerta de
Hierro Hospital, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. Main Outcome Measures
The assessment of OME by otoscopy and tympanometry. The rats were humanely killed at …