Quality-of-Life Outcomes After Modified Subtotal Petrosectomy With Ear Canal Closure for Chronic Otitis Media

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Quality of Life Research

Background:

• Chronic otitis media (COM) significantly impacts patient quality of life (QoL).
• Surgical interventions aim to improve symptoms and QoL in COM patients.
• Modified subtotal petrosectomy with ear canal closure (mSTP) is a surgical option for recalcitrant COM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes following modified subtotal petrosectomy with ear canal closure (mSTP).
• To assess the impact of mSTP on disease-specific QoL measures in patients with chronic otitis media.

Main Methods:

• A survey study was conducted at a tertiary referral center.
• Patients with chronic otitis media completed the Chronic Ear Survey (CES) and Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test-15 (COMOT-15).
• Pre- and postoperative QoL data were collected and analyzed for patients undergoing mSTP.

Main Results:

• Modified subtotal petrosectomy with ear canal closure demonstrated statistically significant improvements in CES total scores (18% difference; p = 0.006) and COMOT-15 total scores (-16% difference; p = 0.01).
• Specific domains like CES activity restriction and COMOT-15 ear symptom showed significant positive changes.
• Patients who received aural rehabilitation post-surgery had significantly better COMOT-15 total scores (-17% difference; p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Modified subtotal petrosectomy with ear canal closure is an effective intervention for improving QoL in selected chronic otitis media patients.
• Aural rehabilitation can further enhance QoL outcomes following mSTP.
• mSTP offers a viable surgical solution for recalcitrant chronic otitis media, leading to better patient well-being.