Comparative study of otologic surgery in outpatient and hospital settings

The results of nine years' experience with 1,750 otologic surgical procedures are reviewed; 1,110 of these procedures were performed in an outpatient surgical setting and 640 procedures were performed in a general hospital. The results and complications are compared between these two settings. This study includes tympanoplasty, stapedectomy, mastoidectomy, labyrinthectomy, and other otologic procedures. The study is not concerned with minor procedures such as myringotomy. A detailed analysis of results for each type of procedure compares hearing results, graft take rates, and the occurrence of complications in both outpatient and inpatient settings. No significant differences are seen between the results or complications of outpatient and inpatient procedures, thus supporting the use of outpatient surgical settings for most standard otologic procedures.