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Incidence of secretory otitis media following maxillectomy
Y P Talmi1, O Mardinger, Z Horowitz
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Objective:
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the incidence and characteristics of secretory otitis media after maxillectomy procedures.
Study Design:
Retrospective chart analysis was performed with the cases of 49 patients who underwent maxillectomy for tumor in the Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between the years 1990 and 1996.
Results:
In 10 patients (20%), secretory otitis media manifested itself from 1 week to 6 months after surgery; 1 patient developed a central perforation with chronic otitis media. Nearly one third of patients who underwent total maxillectomy had secretory otitis media. Six patients (8 ears) required insertion of ventilation tubes.
Conclusions:
Patients undergoing total and partial maxillectomies are prone to occurrences of secretory otitis media. Insertion of ventilation tubes easily resolves the problem. Preoperative and routine postoperative patient follow-up should always include otoscopy and audiometry, and tympanometry should be performed when warranted.