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Published on: May 23, 2021
Humanitarian otologic missions: long-term surgical results.
Drew Horlbeck1, Mark Boston, Ben Balough
1Division of Otolaryngology, Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA. dhorlbec@nemours.org
Summary
Surgical treatment for chronic ear disease in developing nations achieved outcomes comparable to those in developed countries. This study highlights the effectiveness of single surgical interventions during humanitarian missions.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Global Health
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Chronic ear disease poses a significant health burden globally.
- Access to specialized otologic surgery is limited in many developing nations.
- Humanitarian surgical missions offer a vital avenue for treatment in austere environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of single surgical interventions for chronic ear disease.
- To assess surgical outcomes in a developing nation setting.
- To compare results with those typically seen in developed countries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 121 patients undergoing surgery for chronic ear disease.
- Data collected during humanitarian surgical missions in South and Central America.
- Outcomes assessed 10-12 months post-surgery, categorizing patients by condition (dry perforations, draining ears, cholesteatomas).
Main Results:
- 117 patients were included, with 75 (64%) having follow-up records.
- Surgical success rates were 60% for dry perforations, 74% for draining ears, and 92% for cholesteatomas.
- These success rates align with expected outcomes in developed healthcare settings.
Conclusions:
- Single surgical interventions for chronic ear disease are effective in developing nations.
- Otologic outreach missions can achieve results comparable to those in developed countries.
- This demonstrates the feasibility and success of providing specialized surgical care globally.
