Health Related Quality of Life after Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty using the chronic otitis media questionnaire-12 (COMQ12)

Abstract

Background and objectives: To assess quality of life after canal wall down mastoidectomy in patients operated for chronic otitis media both mucosal and squamosal type. Methods: Quasi-experimental study design, conducted on fifty patients who were candidates for canal wall down mastoidectomy, between (September, 2016 to September, 2019). All patients were questioned before the operation and one year after the operation using Quality of life questioner for chronic otitis media (COMQ12). Results: fifty patients, mean age ± SD was 36.52 ± 10.85, The highest proportion (40%) of the sample aged 35-44 years and around half (52%) were male. Mean total score of the COMQ12 before the operation was 25.94, which was decreases to 10.56 after the operation. There was significant improvement in ear symptoms regarding discharging ear and offensive odor post operatively, and also reduction in doctors visit for taking medications and fear from showering, there was non-significant change in questions regarding dizziness, tinnitus and discomfort around the ear, post operatively regarding questions related to the hearing there was significant deterioration post operatively. Conclusions: Canal wall down with type III tympanoplasty showed a clear decrease in the severity of the ear symptoms, impact on life and work, and health care after surgery. Hearing was the only disabling factor that negatively affect outcome in post-operative quality of life.