Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2025
Endaural Endoscopic Atticoantrotomy Retrograde Mastoidectomy using a Constant Suction Bone-drilling Technique
Published on: May 23, 2021
Quality-of-Life Outcomes After Modified Subtotal Petrosectomy With Ear Canal Closure for Chronic Otitis Media
Robert J Macielak1, Christine M Lohse2, Amy M Tuchscherer1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic.
Objective:
To assess quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes after modified subtotal petrosectomy with ear canal closure (mSTP) for chronic otitis media.
Study Design:
Survey study.
Setting:
Tertiary referral center.
Patients:
Patients with chronic otitis media.
Interventions:
mSTP.
Main Outcome Measures:
Survey results from enrolled patients on the validated disease-specific Chronic Ear Survey (CES) and Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test-15 (COMOT-15) regarding their current state of health and, if surgery was performed within 3 years of enrollment, their state of health before mSTP.
Results:
A total of 23 patients were studied, including 19 who underwent surgery within 3 years of enrollment. Postoperatively, mean total CES scores were 80 and COMOT-15 scores were 41, with a higher CES and a lower COMOT-15 indicating better QoL. There were statistically significant improvements after mSTP in the CES activity restriction (25% difference; p = 0.008), symptom (17% difference; p = 0.007), and medical resource (13% difference; p = 0.03) domain and total (18% difference; p = 0.006) scores. In addition, there were statistically significant improvements in the COMOT-15 ear symptom (-22% difference; p < 0.001) domain and total (-16% difference; p = 0.01) scores; however, improvements in the hearing function and mental health domains did not achieve statistical significance. Postoperative COMOT-15 total scores were significantly better for patients who underwent aural rehabilitation compared to those who did not (-17% difference; p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Modified subtotal petrosectomy with ear canal closure is a useful intervention for patients with recalcitrant chronic otitis media, offering improved QoL in appropriately selected patients. Aural rehabilitation, when feasible, provides the potential for further QoL improvement.
